It was originally the site of the Thorndon Park reservoir, which was completed in 1860.

[2][3] The reserve has picnic areas, barbecues, play equipment for children, large grassy areas, wheelchair-friendly walking paths, an amphitheatre, waterways and a terraced series of ponds and wetlands which support diverse native flora and fauna.

[4] In 2014, the prospect of establishing a community orchard within the Thorndon Park Reserve was considered.

At full capacity, the reservoir held 142,000,000 imperial gallons (650 Ml) of water.

[9][8] In 1950 the tiny African freshwater jellyfish Craspedacusta sowerbii was found in the reservoir.