Named after Dr. William Gibson, JP, who subscribed largely and took a leading part in the provision of Willowfield Unionist Club Recreation Grounds (John J Marshall, Belfast Telegraph, 20/01/1941).
Prior to the building of Gibson Park Avenue and Ladas Way, there was a lane along the same line known as Daddy Winker's Lane. The name is explained by Aidan Campbell in Cregagh: An Illustrated And Spoken History of Cregagh, Hillfoot, Lisnabreeny and the Lagan (2011), p. 44: "Glenbanna was a large house situated nearby in the townland of Lisnasharragh and the surrounding 15 acres of land were leased from the Marquis of Downshire. In the 1860s Glenbanna was occupied by linen manufacturer Samuel Tierney and the area was regarded as being outside the town of Belfast and in the country. By the 1880s Glenbanna was occupied by Robert Wilson, cattle dealer who soon earned the nickname of 'Daddy Winker' which he was probably given by local children who raided his apple trees. The name stuck and the lane past Glenbanna became known locally as 'Daddy Winker's Lane'. The lane was officially designated Gibson Park Avenue as far back as 1928." Incidentally, Glenbanna has been demolished but the site is close to Alexander Road.