Spread over 21 acres (8.5 ha), it comprises 4 sections traversed by various streets, including Paterson Plank Road (the city line) and Palisade Avenue.

Largely a flat expanse of dirt, it came to be used to host visiting carnivals, circuses, and Wild West shows, including Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, performed there in 1908, when the plot was called the North Street Grounds.

[4] On January 12, 1909, a joint committee was formed to petition the relevant government agencies, such as the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders, for funds to purchase the Suckley property and other smaller plots.

Assemblyman William R. Davidson argued at the committee's first meeting that the 14th Street viaduct being constructed, which the park site overlooked, would be a significant transportation corridor that would increase property values.

Its co-founder and first president was doctor and civic leader Ulamor Allen, who has been called the Father of Washington Park.