This park was established in 1986 as a tribute to John H. Poelker (1913-90), who served in public office in various capacities including mayor of St. Louis from 1973-77.

Like many other St. Louis mayors, Henry Overstolz, Henry Ziegenhein, Frederick H. Kreismann, Henry W. Kiel, Bernard F. Dickmann, and Vincent C. Schoemehl, Jr., Poelker had a German-American heritage.

The park includes the statue of a firefighter carrying a child by firefighter/sculptor Robert Daus. It honors all St. Louis firefighters.