Pupils at Brentside Primary Academy are celebrating after a name they suggested for a new park, opening next weekend, was chosen by Ealing Council.

Students at Brentside High School and Brentside Primary Academy, which are the 2 closest schools to the park, were invited to suggest a new name for the 49-acre space – the same as 30 football pitches.

Perie Park was put forward by Mahad and Taim – a pair of 2 year 4 pupils at Brentside Primary. To distinguish it from nearby Perivale Park, the name was adapted to Pear Tree Park and chosen in recognition of the area’s historical roots.

Free event to mark park’s opening

The new park will formally open on Saturday 27 July, with a free family-friendly community event from 10am-12pm at Pear Tree Park, Stockdove Way, Perivale.

As well as an official ribbon cutting ceremony and a chance to discover the new space, there will be a range of activities for guests to enjoy. These including a nature trail hunt, exciting outdoor activities, sports for children and adults, crafting workshops, music workshops, face painting and more.

Paving the way for regional park plans

Work is well underway to rewild and transform the area, reintroducing native species of plants, trees and flowers. Future work will include introducing wetlands to help deal with flash flooding, providing space for wildlife and more biodiversity.

Pear Tree Park is the next of 10 promised new parks in the borough and a major stepping stone towards the council’s vision for creating a transformative regional park in west London, which has resounding support from residents, with 76% of survey responders supporting it.

Ealing Council Leader Peter Mason said: “As well as being a great new community space for residents, the opening of Pear Tree Park brings us one step closer to our commitment to create 10 new parks in the borough and our vision to create a transformative regional park, that will see connected green open spaces right across the borough.

“A regional park will also give more residents access to well-designed green spaces. It supports our mission to plant 50,000 more trees and re-wild 800,000 square metres of the borough, increasing biodiversity, reducing air pollution and re-connecting people with nature.”

Councillor Blerina Hashani Ealing Council’s cabinet member for thriving communities, said: “Lots of work has been done at Pear Tree Park in preparation for its grand opening, but this is just the beginning of our plans for this space. We will be working with local residents, parks groups and schools to shape the space so it offers something for everyone.

“Starting with our plans for a small pear tree orchard, we will be engaging with residents on things like traditional and nature focussed play opportunities. I hope lots of people can join us for our launch event on 27 July to celebrate this new community space.”

‘Very proud’ of school’s part in naming

Encouraging and supporting new green and outdoor spaces for pupils and their families is something Brentside Primary Academy headteacher Caroline Crosdale is passionate about. As well as already being a ‘School Street,’ the school is taking part in the Mayor of London’s Superzones project to improve the area around the school and ensure better access to safe and clean spaces for pupils.

Ms Crosdale said: “Brentside Primary Academy was delighted to participate in the naming of the new community park in Perivale. The plans for the new park sound very promising and we are very excited about its imminent launch.

“Our Year 4 pupils thought hard about a new name for the park; researching the history of Perivale, its name and famous and inspirational people from the area. In the end, it was Mahad and Taim’s discovery that Perivale was named for its pear trees and their suggestions of “Perie Park” that inspired the new ‘Pear Tree Park’.

“I am very proud that a name inspired by our school will be the new official park name, and also that it has prompted the planting of pear trees in the park, too. Well done Taim and Mahad, and all the children who submitted suggestions.”

The word Perivale has been in use since 1500s, when it was spelt Pyryvale – a combination of perie (pear tree) and vale. In reference to its name and history, the park will include a new pear orchard, which will be in the next tree growing next season.