[2] The park is a mix of farmland, coastal bush and beach, overlooking the Firth of Thames.

[1] The park is a known hotspot where the coastal tree species tanguru (Olearia albida) occurs.

[3] The land was an important place for the Marutūāhu iwi of the Hauraki Gulf, in particular Ngāti Whanaunga, and it was a traditional area for stonefield gardening.

[4] In 1899, settler James Ashby settled on the land, building a kauri homestead with his wife Rebecca in 1900.

[4] Ashby developed a lifelong friendship with Ngāti Whanaunga chief Tukumana Te Taniwha.