The land was originally acquired by the City of New York in 1929 for the purpose of widening Chrystie and Forsythe Streets and building low-cost housing, but was instead used for parkland. The new park was named for Sara Roosevelt in 1934 despite her written objection. It was designed under the leadership of newly installed Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, landscape architect Gilmore D. Clarke, and architect Aymar Embury II. The original design placed an emphasis on athletic fields and "active recreation" spaces for children, such as wading pools, with separate areas for boys and girls.