Developed between 1836 and the early 20th century, it is one Portland's oldest preserved spaces, with landscaping by the Olmsted Brothers, who included it in their master plan for the city's parks.

It is bounded on the north by the Maine Medical Center complex, the east by the Western Cemetery and a historic 19th-century residential neighborhood (listed on the National Register as the Western Promenade Historic District), and the west by Valley Street.

Beginning in the late 1870s, city engineer William Goodwin championed efforts to further improve the park.

In the nineteenth century, the land was owned by industrialist John Bundy Brown, who was one of the wealthiest men in Maine.

[3][4] He built the "Bramhall" mansion, which stood behind today's 147–163 Western Promenade, as well as homes for his children.