The park is named after the legendary 17th century warrior king of the region, Chhatrapati Shivaji. The park was created in 1925 by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, in the days of the British Raj. This is the largest park in Mumbai. - Like the Azad Maidan and August Kranti Maidan (formerly Gowalia Tank Grounds), it is of historical and cultural value because of the political and social gatherings it has witnessed, both in pre- and post-independence Mumbai. - The walkway around the perimeter is crowded with people taking walks. The inner circumference of the park is 1.17km. - 11.29ha in area, the ground is busy with young cricket players. Various attractions are spread over the grounds, including the Samarth Vyayam Mandir (gymnasium), Shivaji Park Nagarik Sangh (established in 1947), Shivaji Park Gymkhana (club), Children's Park, Nana-Nani Park (Grandpa and Grandma park), Scout's Pavilion (which is a popular venue for marriages), Udyan Ganesh Mandir (Ganesh temple), The Bengal Club with a small Kali shrine and a library. The walkway is lined with huge rain trees. - The most prominent entrance to the park is the one on the east side, intended only for pedestrians. A bust of Meenatai Thackeray, late wife of Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray, has been placed at this entrance. Previously a bust of Ram Ganesh Gadkari was present at the same spot.