Willesden was originally a town and parish in Middlesex. During the 19th century it became a suburb of North London (mostly in postal district NW10). Willesden Park forms part of a cluster of streets in the Laganvale area of Stranmillis named after London suburbs, namely Penge Gardens, Belvedere Park, Vauxhall Park, Cricklewood Park, Marylebone Park, Knightsbridge Park and Richmond Park.
The application for approval of this name (along with Belvedere Park) was not a smooth process. In the first instance it was rejected, the reason given being the width, perhaps because they were not considered wide enough to justify a name with "Park". The second element was then changed to "Parade" (acceptable for a narrower street?), but the application was again unsuccessful because not made by the landowner. Who Messrs Poots and Magowan were is not known. A month later, the third attempt, made by the Lagan Vale company and using "Park" once again, 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 City Surveyor submitted application, received on 17th inst., signed by Mr. Isaac Poots and Mr. R. Magowan, for this Committee's approval to a new street off Sharman Road being named Willesden Parade. In view of the fact that the application was not made by the owners of the ground, the Committee could not see their way to approve of the name". (20th 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)