Park Krakowski was founded in 1885 and modelled after similar parks in Vienna. From the original 1885 design, the only remaining architectural features are landscape tower elements, and the ornamental pond with its fountain. Since 1974 the site has been a sculpture park; it includes numerous abstract outdoor sculptures scattered throughout the park grounds.
Park Krakowski was designed by city councillor Stanisław Rehman and built on grounds leased from the Polish army. It was a popular destination point for many fin-de-siècle Cracovians. After World War I, the size of the park was reduced, due to rapid real estate development.
The park originally contained an amphitheatre where concerts were held, a summer outdoor theatre (built 1890), a zoo, an ice skating rink and bicycle rink, a swimming pool and pond, a bowling alley, a restaurant and seasonal outdoor cafés.