The earliest record of the park dates to the will of Sir James Belasses in 1636, he left Poor Howdens Farm to the town of Darlington for charitable purposes.

[2] The park has an aviary whose most famous resident was a parrot called Max who shocked visitors with his swearing.

[5] Polam Lane Bridge over the River Skerne gives access to the park and is also Grade II listed.

[7] The pavilion has a clock tower, there is a refreshment kiosk dating to 1908 and flower beds with a terracotta jardiniere.

Although the facility is owned by Darlington Borough Council, the green and changing rooms that are within Clocktower Lodge are run by the bowls club.