Described as the "lungs of Dhaka City,"[1] the 68.50-acre (277,200 m2) park was built during the British colonial era with a lake at its core, undergoing several transformations over the years and evolving into a popular public space.
Situated in its midst was a sizable lake, while nearby stood a racecourse in Suhrawardy Udyan, both built by Dhaka's magistrate Charles Dawes.
Enhancements to the park included deepening and extending the lake, constructing walkways and garden paths in stages, regrading and replanting sections, and implementing irrigation systems for the diverse range of tree saplings.
Additionally, a new cafe has been built and a corner of the park has been dedicated to children's play area, while new flowers have been planted as part of the renovation work.
On 14 April 2001, during the Pohela Boishakh celebrations of the Bangla New Year, two bombs exploded at Ramna Park, resulting in the deaths of 10 individuals and injuries to several others.
[2] Ornamental flower plant species include J. sambac (Beli), B. acutangula (Hijol), C. fistula (Sonalu), C. pulcherrima (Radhachura), M. elengi (Bokul), M. paniculata (Kamini), P. (Kathgolap), N. arbor-tristis (Sheuli), B. ceiba (Shimul), N. cadamba (Kodom), L. speciosa (Jarul), N. arbor-tristis (Shephaly), B. monosperma (Polash), A. moniliformis (Akashmoni), M. champaca (Chapa), C. bakeriana (GolapiSonalu), C. ternatea (Aparajita), T. divaricata (Togor), I. coccinea (Rangan), P. pterocarpum (Konokchura), M. indica (Mohua), A. pavonina (Raktochandan), R. damascena (Golap), B. acuminata (Sada Kanchan), T. patula (Gada), B. glabra (Bagan Bilash), M. diplotricha (Lazzabati), A. hexapetalus (Kathalichapa), C. cristata (Morogphul), G. globosa (Botamphul), C. reflexa (Sarnalata), C. roxburghii (Lal-golapiSonalu), C. nocturnum (Hasnahena), B. purpurea (Raktakanchan), H. mutabilis (Jaba), C. variegatum (Patabahar), I. quamoclit (Gateful), C. morifolium (Chandramallika), D. metel (Dutra), G. tiliifolia (Rakta Kusum), J. auriculatum (Jui), A. dichotoma (Malatilata), J. grandiflorum (Chameli), B. variegata (Lalkanchan), J. sambac (Beli), A. leptopus (Anantalata), K. rotunda (Bhuichapa), H. coronarium (Dolon Chapa), M. indica (Mohua), M. jalapa (Sandhyamalati), P. indica (Kathchapa), M. champaca (Sharna Chapa), N. oleander (RaktaKarobi), M. grandiflora (Uday Champa), P. foetidus (Keya), B. acuminata (Sadakanchan), D. regia (Krishnochura), and M. pterocarpa (DuliChampa).