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Opened in 1894 following the Town Council's decision in 1891 "That a public park should be procured for the town in some suitable locality". Lord Tredegar then donated some hillside fields to the Corporation for this purpose.
A design competition was held and was won by Thomas Mawson Link , a landscape gardener of Windermere, who received a prize of £50. This was early in his career and was his first win in an open competition. He misunderstood directions on his first visit and made a design for an adjacent site, not realising his mistake until the first site visit after the contract had been awarded. The final cost of the park was £19,500.
Additional features and sporting facilities were added in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Another 11 acres were added to the park in 1953.
In 1996, the pavilion, conservatories, terrace and bandstand were granted Grade II listing and subsequently, in 2000, the same listing was given to the gates, gate piers, lodges and rustic tea house. The rustic tea house was badly damaged by fire in 2010.
In spring 2002 the Heritage Lottery awarded £1.5 million towards the restoration of the park and this was supplemented by £652,000 from Newport City Council. This restoration was completed in 2006 with the park being awarded Green Flag status in 2008.
With its Victorian structures, tea room and a great variety of ornamental trees, the park is attractive at all times of the year. The pavilion and conservatories are used for a range of events including community learning classes, business meetings, training events, community events, and exhibitions by local artists.