Oswald Park, located in the Sandy Row area, came into being after Oswald Street (1892) was cleared in the early 1980s. Although this is speculative, it may well be part of the Sir Walter Scott theme which can be discerned in various parts of Belfast. Nearby are Matilda Avenue, Matilda Drive and Matilda Gardens, which replaced the earlier Matilda Street (1868). Matilda Rokeby and Oswald Wycliffe are characters in Scott's narrative poem Rokeby (1813). Oswald's son, Wilfrid Wycliffe, is in love with Matilda Rokeby.
“That on the application of the owners, Messrs H. J. Scott and Co, a new street on their property situate off Bentham street and Matilda street be named Oswald Street". (Improvement Committee, 23 November 1892).