Harrow Weald Park, also known to many in the area as ‘Boxtree Park’ is rich in history. The park, which is just off Boxtree Lane and High Road, Harrow Weald, is well-known for its lovely gardens, kids’ play areas, and sporting facilities. Harrow Weald Park has a fascinating history because it has served a number of functions over the years.
Early History
Once, the Archbishops of Canterbury possessed a larger estate that included the area presently occupied by Harrow Weald Park. The estate housed several deer and other game animals, and it was mostly utilised for hunting. The Harrow Weald Park site was eventually acquired by the local government in the early 20th century after the estate was gradually divided and sold off over time.
The creation of the Park
The area was bought, turned into a public park, and over time, a number of amenities and features were added. A sizable boating lake was built in the 1920s, and it quickly became a well-liked attraction for park guests. Several playgrounds for kids, sports fields, and picnic places were also added in the years that followed.
The neighbourhood Home Guard trained there during World War II, using the park’s fields and open areas for exercises and manoeuvre practice. Tennis courts and a bowling alley were among the new sporting amenities that were built in the park after the war.
The estate’s developers gave the area to the local council and named it after the numerous box trees that originally thrived there.
Families frequented the park during the 1960s and 1970s to play on the swings and slides and take advantage of the open area. However, the park began to deteriorate in the 1980s and 1990s, and many of the amenities and play structures became outmoded and dangerous.
A neighbourhood organisation named the Friends of Boxtree Park was established in the early 2000s with the purpose of repairing and enhancing the park. Working closely with the council, the group was successful in getting a variety of upgrades, including the addition of new play equipment, resurfacing the basketball court, and building a new seating area.
Recent History
Harrow Weald Park has had a number of improvements and restorations in recent years with the goal of enhancing its amenities and enhancing tourist accessibility. A new café and visitor centre opened in 2016 called the Park Life Cafe to give guests a chance to unwind and enjoy refreshments while admiring the park’s surroundings, so far it’s been a big hit within the community and often a central piece in event organising for the park.
Throughout the year, the park also serves as the setting for a number of significant community gatherings, such as festivals, charity runs, and concerts in the summer. The park makes a great location for such events because it has lots of room for crowds and activities.
The park has undergone many changes over the years, including the removal of a public golf course that was installed in the park until around 2002. The golf course was fenced off at the time but the area is now accessible to all.
In 2020, a brand new clubhouse opened for the local football club, Kodak FC, who use the park for their home matches. In 2022 it was announced that the parks tennis courts are due to be upgraded, along with parks across Harrow, with work starting this month. A new pathway is also under construction leading all the way around the part, works are due to be finished by Summer 2023.
