The location of the park was not easily accessible and prior to its construction the Reds' ownership explored building the ballpark in Covington Kentucky by the Licking River or in Oakley Ohio but both sites were eventually scrapped and the Reds settled for the romantic setting of Pendleton Grounds. With the rolling hills of Kentucky visible in the background and steamboats chugging up and down the Ohio River, Pendleton Grounds was a lovely riverboat atmosphere that was so popular during its times.

Contracts for the grading, sodding and draining of the ballpark were settled on March 27th 1891. Bids were also opened for the erection of the grand stand pavilion, bleachers and fences, but no awards were made until the following day. The contract for the rest of the park was finally settled with well-known Cincinnati contractor, Al Marcus. Marcus was the contractor who built League Park for the west-side Cincinnati Reds in short order before the start of the 1884 season.

The ballpark was built in the northwest corner of the East End Grounds, running 461 feet along Ridgley street and 543 feet parallel with modern day Babby Alley. The northwest location was favorable because during the afternoon, the sun would not be obstructive to spectators and the players. The grandstand were octagon in shape and faced southeast, in the direction of the Ohio River & Dayton Kentucky. The grandstand were located about 70 feet from the baseball diamond and had a seating capacity of about 1,000 spectators. 270 of those seats were handsome settees purchased from James L. Raven & Co. Each section was about 16 feet wide and had 13 tiers of seats. The ballpark also had a pavilion with adjoining bleachers.

The problem with East End Park was its location. Streetcars pulled by mules were used but they were very slow and crowded. Spectators coming from the city either had to catch a fifteen to twenty-five minute train ride on the Pennsylvania from Broadway Street and Court Street. Or pick up a train ride on the Pennsylvania at the Front Street connection track just west of the Suspension Bridge at the foot of Vine Street. A connection track was a wooden viaduct for trains between the riverfront and riverfront buildings. Front Street is where modern day Mehring Way is located and the foot of Vine Street is now called Stadium Drive. The Pennsylvania would drop passengers off just north of the ballparks main entrance.