Park of the week

76.  King Edward VII Park

This park, sometimes called ‘King Eddie’s’, is in Wembley. It was opened in 1914 and named in memory of the king, who had died in 1910.

The land which has become the park was formerly part of Read's Farm. It was purchased by the local authority in memory of the late king, and the park opened in 1914’ The park still has the original gates and railings at the top, where there are flower beds, terraces and steps, with brick piers having capitals and concrete urns.

The park is a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation and is protected under the Fields in Trust Programme under the Queen Elizabeth II Fields protection type. It has a large open grass space, wild meadows, and winding paths with places to sit. There are good views across to Harrow on the Hill. It has an outdoor gym, tennis courts, multi-use games area and a playground. There are no café or toilets. We parked on a nearby street.

There are a good variety of trees including ginkgo biloba, or maidenhair tree, the oldest living species of tree. This is my favourite species of tree, and I wanted one of my own. Yes, you can buy them, but I thought I’d try to raise one myself. I walk past a small ginkgo tree whenever we pay our weekly visits to East Finchley Cemetery (see 15.) but I didn’t think it was right to chop bits off for cuttings, so I have grown a little specimen from seed. To get the seeds to germinate I had to keep them in a plastic bag of compost in the fridge for weeks. One of the five did germinate but I’m leaving the others in the pot in case they decide to make a late start. I’m not one for naming plants but even if I were, I’d have to wait a while because ginkgos (or should that be ginkgoes?) are dioecious – in other words they have either male or female flowers, not both. Maybe I’ll hold a gender reveal party in a few months’ time.
Judith Field

King Edward VII Park, Park Lane, Wembley, HA9 7RX