This is one of the oldest parks in Singapore. Built in the 1930s' Katong Park with its sea frontage was a favourite with families for Sunday picnics. Many learnt to swim in the sea here. A pagar (fence) was built to create a safer swimming bay. The park lost its sea frontage in 1966 due to land reclamation.
On 24 September 1953, a bomb exploded here. It marked the beginning of Kronfrontasi (Confrontation) when Indonesia, led by Sukarno, opposed the formation of Malaysia which, until 1965, included Singapore. The explosion broke the windows of then Ambassador Hotel across the road. Within two weeks, two more bombs went off here. There were no casualties in all three incidents.