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The Vivary Green Wedge has been in place since at least 1851, when the Kinglake family of Wilton House allowed an area of their parkland to be used for public events.

The area of the wedge closest to town, known as Vivary Park was first established following the Public Health Act of 1875 which paved the way for Taunton Borough Council to purchase the land in 1894 from the Kinglake family.

The park occupies the site that in medieval times was the fish farm or vivarium to supply food for the Episcopal table. There are no visible remains of the lakes now, but this ancient use lives on in the park's name "Vivary".

The purchase of the land for Vivary Park was completed in December 1894 for the sum of £3,659. Early the following year designs were prepared together with cost estimates amounting to £5,698. The park was laid out in 1895. The front gates, bandstand and one shelter date from this time.

In 1902 the oak tree was planted close to the bandstand to mark the coronation of Edward VII. The fountain was commissioned as a memorial to the late Queen Victoria and was unveiled in 1907. The war memorial dates from 1922 with a formal garden centred around it with post and chain ivy swags and seats placed in the bays of the semi circular path.

The boating pond and the National Rose Society Provincial Trial Ground around the war memorial were added in the 1960s. The model railway track was added in 1979 and the playground next to the tennis courts in 1980.

Vivary is the proud holder of a Green Flag Award from the Civic Trust which reflects that it is managed to a nationally acknowledged standard.

The green wedge has been seen as strategically significant to Taunton and its links to the countryside as the county town. Often called the ‘lungs’ of Taunton the wedge provides fresh country air straight into the centre of town, contributing significantly to the air quality in the town centre.