In the 1860s, E. A. Foden first mooted the idea of turning the estate into a park and in 1871, the Walsall Arboretum and Lake Company was formed and issued a prospectus for shareholders describing the principal features.

The park consisted of two lakes, two lodges, a boathouse, bandstand, several summerhouses, a tree lined promenade, space for dancing, a flagpole, croquet lawns and a cricket ground.

[1] Visitor numbers started to fall as a result of complaints over the lack of provision for children's activities.

A cycle track was opened in 1876 as an attempt at boosting visitor numbers, however, in 1877, the company went into liquidation and the lease was surrendered to Lord Hatherton and a management committee of local businessmen took over.

In 1889, the park received a cash injection which was used to improve the cycle path, greenhouse, lodges and flower beds.

In 1908, significant maintenance work was carried out on the park which included the laying of new turf, reparation of the stocks and the concreting of part of the course of Hoar Brook.

[1] In 1922, a further 20 acres (8.1 ha) were added to the park, mostly by Featherstone-Dilke, on the condition that its development should provide work for the unemployed.

Two tubular swings, two giant strides and a merry-go-round were acquired from Johnson Bros and Co Ltd. in 1924 and added to the park, which was also extended by a further 5 acres (2.0 ha) following the purchase of land from Mr Mellish.

In 1931, the Pavilion Refreshment Room closed and was reopened in 1936 as the Joseph Leckie Sons of Rest, a social club for elderly men.

In 1967, proposals for a new roundabout and flyover scheme that would have demolished the Clock Tower and lodge were rejected due to public pressure.

On 19 April 1989, 31.32ha of land consisting of the original Arboretum and surrounding housing was designated a conservation area.

[3] In February 2009 it was announced that the Illuminations would be suspended due to financial constraints, the event having run at a loss for a number of years.

Originally, this took place in the arboretum extension, starting and finishing near the skate park, however as the Victorian section of the park was renovated, the course moved into the arboretum itself, initially based by the bowling pavilion and then, as works finished, to its current location near centre green.