Hundreds of visitors enjoyed a free event to mark the opening of Pear Tree Park, a new 49-acre park in Perivale.
Visitors enjoyed a range of activities including traditional school sports day races, nature trail hunts, circus workshops, arts and crafts and lots more.
Local groups including Horsendon Activity Centre, Ealing Parks Foundation and Let’s Go Southall were also on hand to help get celebrations under way and capture feedback from residents about future plans for the park.
Pear Tree Park is around the same size as 30 football pitches. Nestled beside Perivale Park and part of the Brent River park area, it is the latest of Ealing Council’s 10 new promised parks. Its name was inspired by Mahad and Taim, both year 4 pupils from nearby Brentside Primary Academy school.
Growing wild
Pear Tree Park officially opened at the weekend but work to rewild the space has been taking place since the end of June.
The council’s parks team will plant native species of plants, climate-resilient trees and flowers. Future work will include introducing wetlands to help deal with flash flooding, providing space for wildlife and encouraging more biodiversity.
In reference to its name and history, the park will also include a small pear orchard that will be planted in the spring.
Ealing Council leader, Peter Mason said: “Pear Tree Park is a major stepping stone to achieving our plans for a regional park in the borough – something that has the support of more than 75% of residents we asked. From Horsenden Hill in the north to Warren Farm in the south, we want to create a wild and open ribbon of leisure and recreational opportunities that are open to all.
“As well as supporting our work to minimise and manage the impact of the climate crisis, a regional park will also help us to achieve our plans to re-wild 800,000 square metres of our borough and plant 50,000 more trees.”
Councillor Blerina Hashani, the council’s cabinet member for thriving communities, added: “Pear Tree Park is a wonderful new space which is already attracting a range of wildlife – including kestrels which were spotted flying over the fields this week.
“We’re putting the community at the heart of this park. We started with its name – chosen by local schoolchildren who joined us at the launch – and will continue to involve residents, community groups and park friends’ groups to help us shape the future of this emerald gem in the heart of Perivale.”
