A park recorded on the first edition 1887 and 1905 Ordnance Survey maps as The Arboretum, Lincoln. {1}{2} The Arboretum was opened in 1872 following a proposal in 1870 for a park to 'keep the city's men out of public houses and in the open air with their families'. It was designed by Edward Milner, and was laid out on land that had previously been common land known as Monks Leys. Features of the park originally included a grand promenade, a yew maze, a pavilion, an ornamental lake with rustic grottoes, a thatched swan house, a tea room and various statues and shrubs. The bandstand was added in 1884. During the late 19th century the Arboretum was a popular concert venue, and other events such as galas, firework displays and fetes were also held there. {3}