The 8.7570 acres of property for this park were purchased in 1977. The park was originally called Division Park for the street on which it is located, but was renamed for Congressman Frank Tejeda by ordinance of City Council passed on Sept. 12, 1996. The official ceremony occurred on December 2 of that year. It was attended by City Councilman Henry Avila, Councilman Juan Solis, Mayor William E. Thornton, former City Councilman Frank Wing and Parks and Recreation Director Ron Darner.
A native of San Antonio, Congressman Tejeda grew up on the city's Southside. He was a U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran who earned the Bronze Star for valor and the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in action.
After his military service, he earned a masters from Harvard University and his law degree from Yale.
He began his career as an elected official when he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1977, serving in that capacity until 1987. He served in the Texas Senate from 1987 to 1993 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing District 28. He died of brain cancer on Jan. 30, 1997, and was buried with full military honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.