Part of the park was originally in the parish of Walsoken.  This was known as Marsh Fields and owned by the Church Commissioners.  It was rented out as market garden land and grazing.

1830/1840
housing was commenced east of the canal, for workmen.  Housing was of low quality.  This was built by Henry Whitby Pooley.  We now have Henry Street and Whitby Street.   Land was built on what is now Norwich Road with similar housing. 

1848
Walsoken had 415 houses.

1832 and 1848
There were many cases of cholera. 
The Dawbarn family originally brought water to the town

1869
The Town Council was approached by George Dawbarn to purchase the land for recreation use. There was 13 acres in Marsh Field for £2,000 with a further 5 acres for £400.  Donations were given of £465.  Rates were increased by a penny for 30 years.  This land was to be used for public use.
Eventually 13 acres was purchased. Mayor Alderman Young, Alderman Dawbarn and a Mr Sharp formed a committee calling a public meeting. Subscriptions came from the Duke of Bedford, Robert Dawbarn, Algeron Peckover, William Peckover and George Dawbarn.  Fencing, setting out the ground and compensation to the tenant came to £3,769.

1869
A meeting was held in the recreation ground when two trees were planted by the Mayor and his councillors.  Algeron Peckover planted another two trees.  A few days later William Peckover planted a tree to celebrate his 80th birthday.  The park now boasts over 240 trees.
George Dawbarn built the largest house in the area for himself called Bowthorpe Hall. 
The Church Commissioners built “The Avenue” when the park opened.  Mr Mackman, a local architect developed a nearby area – Clarkson Avenue.  Roads were named after local people – Trafford, Tavistock and Clarkson. The North Cambs Cottage Hospital was built and opened in 1873.

1872
The Richard Young Memorial was erected in the park costing £300.  He was a prominent ship owner in the town.  The memorial was of pink granite. It was erected after his death in 1871.  In 1883 during a gale the memorial blew down but was repaired in 1885.  Originally it included a water fountain.  This is a Grade II listed structure.

1858-1863
Richard Young was Mayor of Wisbech 5 times.

1865-1868
He was MP for Cambridgeshire.

1871
He was elected Sheriff of London and Middlesex.

1908
The bandstand was erected and opened by the Town Mayor – Mr Yates.  This was built by the corporation and originally had a lead roof.  This also is a Grade ll structure.

1919
Came the tank, another feature in the park and given to the town in recognition of its war savings during the First World War.  It was called “Kaloma”.  It came by rail to the harbour line which ran along the side of the park. This was placed in the centre of the park and was fenced round.  This plinth can still be seen on which it was placed.  A Horace Friend bought the tank as scrap to aid the war effort of WW2 for £50 and scrapped in 1940.

1963
The Army bought another tank in for the Trades Fair.
Wisbech Town Football Club used the park for their home ground from 1921. The park was also used for cricket, bowls, tennis and quoits. 

1921
The pavilion was built by the corporation using public subscription and fees from the sports teams.
The park was used for public celebrations (including the opening of the Cottage Hospital and Golden and Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria), firework displays and sporting events. 
June 1911 the park celebrated the coronation of King George V.  The town dignitaries paraded through the streets.  A sports day was held for the children after which the children were given tea in the park. Around 2,200 children over the age of 5 were in attendance.  Residents of Wisbech of 60 and over were given tea in a marquee.

1949
An exhibition took place as part of the Wisbech Charter celebrations.
A few years later the Wisbech Coronation Trades Exhibition took place in the park.  This included a free x-ray for the public in the fight against TB.
The small monument which stands in the corner of the park at Park Street commemorates the amalgamation of Wisbech and Walsoken in 1934.

Until late in the 1950 Sunday rules were strict, children were not allowed to ride cycles and playground equipment were not in use.

The park is now over 150 years old. There are tennis courts, bowls green, children’s play area etc.  Band concerts and events are still held in the park.