It was originally designed as a typical Victorian-era park, with winding lanes, and a mix of woodlands, lawns, and gardens.

[3] The Stark family originally owned about 800 acres (320 ha) of land in what is now northern Manchester.

Stark's great-grandchildren deeded a two-acre (0.81 ha) area surrounding the family cemetery to the city in 1876.

Public interest for a larger park memorializing Stark took place in the 1880s, and the family gave another 28 acres (11 ha) to the city in 1891.

The initial design of the park was made by Morton & Quimby, landscape architects from Boston, Massachusetts, and it was formally dedicated on June 17, 1893.