Ropner Park has already held a number of successful concerts in the new Bandstand and are looking to put on a full programme for Sundays (see leaflet for dates).
The play area is proving very popular with children and adults alike. Even when the weather is not at it's best we still have families coming along to the Park to visit the themed play area. Parents and grandparents can even enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee from the cafe in the new Ropner Park Pavilion. The cafe is now open seven days a week.
Along with the cafe and play area in the central hub of the park are the newly restored tennis courts. We are currently working with different partners to establish tennis at Ropner Park . If you are interested in tennis and would like to be involved in the setting up of a club, please contact the Parks and Countryside Team.
One facility in the Park that still provides a talking point for visitors is the art feature, called 'Fish Swallowing Bird'. This is located on the site where Dodshons drinking fountain used to be. The fountain was originally located in Stockton town centre. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the fountain was moved to Ropner Park in response to fishmongers from Stockton market gutting and cleaning their fish in the waters of the fountain! Because of its long association with the Park, the Heritage Lottery Fund decided to allow the installation of a contemporary art feature where Dodshons drinking fountain once stood.
The restored fountain is a popular attraction and even the local residents took to using it during the hot summer. (The Park's squirrels were seen cooling down in it on a number of occasions!). The overall impact of the fountain has been enhanced by the floral displays on the embankment adjacent to the fountain, as well as the display of colourful bedding plants alongside the path from the main entrance off Hartburn Lane.
The gates will be opened every morning at 6.00am throughout the year.
The gates will be locked at 9.00pm
www.forp.org.uk/
If you would like to become involved in the management and development of Ropner Park why not join the Friends of Ropner Park ? The group was formed in 2002 and has already held many highly successful events, including this years Park IT event. The event was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and organised by GreenSpace in partnership with local community groups. These events will inspire communities to discover the history of their parks and celebrate their significance to the people that use them.
