Although the park had been opened already in 1862, it was only developing into a strolling area loved by the citizens. A sandbox was built for the children and a shelter where the city library established its lending point for summer. The Swedish bastion was renamed as Lindamägi (Linda’s Hill) in 1939. The park became a nature protection area in 1959.

Although Harju Hill had become highly popular among the citizens in late 19th century, it somewhat lost its appeal during the First World War. The decaying buildings lay in ruins for some ten years until the city government sold them for demolition in 1928.