The Homestead House, which is now the head office of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and which adjoins the park, was originally built for Joseph Rowntree's son Seebohm, who moved into the house in 1904.

On 16 July 1904 an "Important Notice" appeared in the Yorkshire Gazette. In it, Seebohm Rowntree announced that from 18 July to 18 August "the fields behind his house [would] be available for children attending the York Elementary Schools between the hours of 9.00 and 12.00 each morning. Donkey rides, swings, see-saws, sand heaps and games [would] be provided."

In 1905 Seebohm bought the land where the playground now stands and received planning permission for the Pavilion. He continued to open the fields to the public, and when he left the Homestead House in 1936 he gave the land to the Joseph Rowntree Village Trust on condition that the fields remained open to the public.

The park today

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has continued to manage, maintain and develop The Homestead park for the benefit of the people of York, as Seebohm wished. The park today includes a children's play area for children up to 12 and has special equipment for children in wheelchairs. The equipment was updated in 2004 as part of the Foundation's Centenary.

The planting in the park is designed to provide colour and interest throughout the year, particularly the herbaceous border and formal beds. There are 6,000 bedding plants which create the formal beds. These are grown in our own glasshouses which are managed by a gardening team who also look after the park.

The park facilities include car parking at the Shipton Road entrance and toilets close to the play area.