Wildwood Park runs in line with Paxton Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River, on the northern side of Harrisburg and adjacent to the main campus of HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College.

The remainder of the park is mixed deciduous forest, and an artificial meadow overlooks the eastern side of the lake.

[3] In 1901, the City of Harrisburg established Wildwood Park on an area known as "Wetzel's Swamp" as a part of the City Beautiful movement, a nationwide reform effort conceived by social reformers to build civic loyalty and a sense of community among urban dwellers.

[4] The lake was formed in 1908 by damming Paxton Creek, which then allowed paths to be laid around it and other facilities established, such as a baseball field, a zoo, riding stables, and boating operations.

[5] In 1964, the city deeded 157 acres of the park to Harrisburg Area Community College for the construction of a campus and academic buildings.