This open, well-treed park of 4.3 hectares, located at 4 Wood Street, Hawthorn, was designed with a formal access and lined with annual beds and extensive grass areas sloping to the east. It is open to the public at all times and incorporates an oval used for cricket in the summer and football in the winter. In 1858, before the secession of Hawthorn from Boroondara Road District, the Road Board addressed a letter to the Minister for Lands and Works stating the wish to secure certain grounds opposite the residence of Sir J F Palmer for the residents of Hawthorn. The land was originally reserved by the Crown and was known as West Hawthorn Reserve. It is thought that the name St James Park was used because there was a football club with that name.