Residents decide on new name for Goodmayes Park Extension

Local councillors Councillor Kam Rai, Councillor Neil Zammett and Councillor Namreen Chaudhry spoke to residents about what they wanted to name the 25-acre playing field and the consensus was to call it Orchard Playing Fields.

The reason behind choosing this name was because in January last year councillors and green-fingered residents gathered in Aberdour Road, Goodmayes to plant 35 cherry, apple, plum and pear trees.

The event took place with the help of south London-based charity Trees for Cities which helps transform unused community spaces into vibrant green areas.

Residents of Goodmayes and councillors planting trees at Goodmayes Park. (Image: Cllr Kam Rai)

Current plans for the park are the result of a public consultation that was carried out four years ago, after Singh Sabha Football Club was stripped of the lease.

The club was handed a 35-year lease, where they would pay an annual nominal fee of £1, in June 2013 on the basis that the park remained open to residents and was kept well-maintained.

After a drawn out legal dispute between the football club and the council, the cabinet decided a new direction was needed with the Goodmayes Lane park.

Children from South Park Primary School planting an orchard in Goodmayes Park (Image: Archant)

It was decided in 2014 that a public consultation would go ahead to decide the future of the park.

Speaking about the renaming of the park Cllr Kam Rai said: “We expect to rename Goodmayes Park extension and help it build its own identity.

“After working with trees for cities we planted 35 fruit trees last year and the council with vision is looking at the playing pitch provision.

Children from South Park Primary School planting an orchard in Goodmayes Park (Image: Archant)

“We ran a local campaign to suggest a new name for the park, and will be officially changing the name later this year.”