The land was drained in the early 19th century and the Museum Gardens were raised with silt dredged from Minster Pool.
The park has many sporting and recreational facilities for use by the public, including an 18-hole golf course, football pitches, tennis courts and bowling greens.
The park is home to many monuments, most notably a large bronze statue of Captain Smith of the RMS Titanic.
Beacon Park stands on land which was originally low lying, poorly drained pasture alongside the Leamonsley Brook.
[4] The two streams across it were diverted into underground culverts; the land was raised with silt and mud dredged from Minster Pool.
[5] The area was subsequently developed into the formal gardens of Beacon Park by the Lichfield Corporation, but paid for by the Conduit Lands Trust.
In 1826 the owner, Richard Hinckley added two wings to the house, extended the grounds and carried out extensive improvements to the landscape.
Two fish ponds were dug along the valley, fed by the Leomonsley Brook, and a long ornamental approach constructed across the fields towards Walsall Road.
He extended the parkland to cover 100 acres (40 ha) and added a terraced walk along the front; linking the house to the ponds.
After the First World War the park was the scene of much celebration with the Recreation Grounds used for athletics and the Museum Gardens for dancing.
[3] The timber framed public convenience at the northeast entrance was built in 1930, partly with old materials from the portion of the Friary which was taken down in 1925 on the making of the new road.
[6][7] The transformation started in 2010 and was completed in 2012 with works including a new café, refreshment kiosk, bowls and education pavilion, toilets, and new and improved play areas for children of all ages.
During the summer season activities such as canoeing on Beacon Pool, donkey rides, giant board games and a bouncy castle are available in the park.
[19] Lichfield Proms in the Park, an open air classical music event, takes place annually on the first Saturday of September.