Roundwood Park

In 1892, George Furness, at that time the owner of Roundwood House, sold Knowles Hill to the Willesden Local Board for a bargain price of £14,500. At that time, the field only contained a small hillock and a few isolated elm and oak trees. == Construction begins ==

After Knowles Hill was sold to the Willesden Local Board, they appointed Oliver Claude Robson to be the main architect. He was the Surveyor for the Local Board, and later to the Willesden Urban District Council, designing the nearby Gladstone Park as well, and serving the councils for a total of 43 years (1875 – 1918). The Local Board allowed him a sum of £9,000 for setting out the park. He inserted 5 miles of drainage under the park and planted an additional 14,500 trees and shrubs. The work, though, was slow, because Robson chose to use local civilians instead of main contractors. The main gates were built in 1895 by "Messrs. Tickner and Partington" at the Vulcan Works, located on Harrow Road, Kensal Rise. The wrought iron fence is 270 feet long and a maximum of 18 feet tall at certain places. Originally there was the Willesden Local Board's coat of arms on the gates, but along with general acanthus leaf decorations, it has gradually disappeared over the years. Additionally, a number of other things were erected, including: a lodge house to house the gardener; greenhouses supply new flowers; numerous paths, running upward to the focal point – an elegant bandstand on the top of the hill. The red-brick lodge house was constructed in the Victorian-Elizabethan style, with ornamented chimney-breasts. It is currently occupied by council employees. ==Grand opening==

Roundwood Park was finally opened to the public on 11 May 1895 by R.D.M. Littler, Q.C, Chairman of the Middlesex County Council, who "dedicated it forever to the people". In the opening speech, Mr. Pinkham (Chairman of the Parks Committee) gave much praise to Robson, saying: " ... It was formerly a miniature Dartmoor without the granite, and Mr. Robson had left them a veritable Garden of Eden without the serpents." A plaque on the drinking fountain near the main gates commemorates the opening of the park and also remembers main architect Oliver Claude Robson for all the work he put in to create Roundwood Park. ==Further construction==

Robson decided that a café would be a good addition to the park, so in 1897 a suitable building was designed and constructed by council employees. It was made of brick and timber with a steeply pitched slate roof and gables, with a verandah surrounding it. Various owners succeeded one another. In 1985, a new building was constructed because the old one became run down. Known as the Lodge Café, it currently it features a children's playground, sandpit, and an outdoor seating area. ==Features and events==

Roundwood Park hosts a variety of events, and features some rare and interesting features. Next to the entrance is the statue "The Spirit of Youth" by Freda Skinner, which was originally installed outside the new indoor pool at Willesden Lido. Past Shows Roundwood Park has been the setting for many public events. In its long history it had seen numerous religious and political open-air meetings, circuses, and much other such events. For many years it was home to the Willesden Show when the place would be crowded with people. Owners of pets of many types, flowers and vegetables, and even 'bonny babies' would compete for prizes in large canvas tents. Art and crafts were shown, and demonstrations of dog handling, sheep shearing, parachuting and trick motor cycling given. Later this became the Brent Show. Zippos Circus, and Eid Prayer in the Park, usually take place in the open space to the south of the park rather than in the main territory. The annual fireworks display on Guy Fawkes Day is one of the few in London. ==Achievements==

Roundwood park has achieved the following: • Green Flag Status • English Heritage Grade II Listed Status ==References==