Belvedere is a suburb of south-east London in the Borough of Bexley (postal district SE2). It was historically in Kent, but the name Belvedere was only given in the mid-19th century when urban development began. The name comes from Italian bel vedere, 'fine view', but in English it usually applies to a viewing tower or similar structure, not just to the view alone. This is was also the case in this instance. In 1840 Sir Culling Eardley built a mansion called Belvedere House on the heath which had a fine view over the surrounding area including the Thames estuary.
Belvedere Park forms part of a cluster of streets in the Laganvale area of Stranmillis named after London suburbs, namely Penge Gardens, Willesden Park, Vauxhall Park, Cricklewood Park, Marylebone Park, Knightsbridge Park and Richmond Park.
The first application for approval of this name (along with Willesden Park) was rejected, the reason given being the width, perhaps because they were not considered wide enough to justify a name with "Park". A month later, a second attempt was successful, although what had changed vis-a-vis the first attempt is unclear.
"The City Surveyor submitted application from the Laganvale Estate Brick and Terra Cotta Works Ltd., requesting the Committee to approve of the names Belvedere Park and Willesden Park, for new streets on their property situated off Sharman Road, but in view of the width of these streets the Committee could not see their way to approve of the names suggested. (11th December 1928)
"The Lagan Vale Estate Brick and Terra Cotta Works, Ltd., under dated of the 21st inst., applied to the Committee for reconsideration of their decision regarding the names Belvedere Park and Willesden Park, which were proposed for two new streets off Sharman Road, and the Committee, having reconsidered their decision, acceded to the Company's request and approved of the names stated. (23rd January 1929)