Opened in 1998, the park covers 2.5 acres (10,000 m2) along southeast Walnut Street several blocks east of Tenth Avenue in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood.

[3] Walnut Street Park was the scene of a shooting in March 2008,[4] and an arrest for a stabbing in July 2011.

[5] The shooting was considered gang related,[4] while the stabbing was a domestic disturbance at a nearby home after which the suspect hid in the park.

[8] The used sod came from a former softball field at the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex that was removed to make way for the new Hillsboro baseball stadium.

[1] Walnut Street Park does have many older deciduous trees throughout, along with grassy areas.