It is located on the slopes above the Dnieper, between Khreshchatyk and Mariinsky Parks, and was laid out in 1743 according to the design of B. Rastrelli at the order of Empress Elizabeth. It is the oldest landscaped park in the capital (former names: Tsarsky, City, Pershotravnevy).

The City Garden was part of the Mariinsky Palace complex and in the 18th century was considered the best in the Russian Empire. The "Valley of Roses" was located there. In 1863, the "Chateau de Fleurs" theater was opened in the garden, and in 1912 - an agricultural exhibition (they have not survived to this day). In 1902-1912, the garden was divided by the laying of Petrovskaya Alley, over which in 1910 the metal Park Bridge was thrown.

A significant part of the area is occupied by the Dynamo sports complex. Among other interesting places: "Bridge of Lovers" by E. Paton, the summer stage "Shell", a fountain, monuments to Lesya Ukrainka, Mykhailo Glinka and Maria Zankovetskaya.