Historic references, illustrations and sculptures among unique heritage features in Stockton Waterfront Urban Park
A host of stunning heritage features which are included in Stockton Waterfront urban park have been unveiled, showcasing how the history of Stockton Town Centre is integrated into its spaces through illustrations, sculptures and text.
Visitors will be taken on a journey of discovery connecting event spaces, art, culture and play, inspired by the history of the communities who have lived and worked in the town and who have shaped the site over the years.
Set to welcome visitors from the weekend of 20 and 21 June, key heritage features in the park are:
- Nine Corten steel archways, specially chosen to match the heritage of the site which will mark the entrance to the urban park from the High Street, with etchings of key historic building and yards
- two large granite entrance mats on the High Street, showing a map of the waterfront area from 1826
- bespoke granite paving panels along Finkle Street, designed by Aphra O'Connor with Tees Valley Arts, a community-focused arts charity based in Teesside
- interpretation on the riverside showing the original lines of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and a sculpture marking S&DR200, its bicentenary celebrations
The features will combine with a host of impressive events spaces, three play areas and 'play-on-the-way' features to form this iconic, new public space for residents and visitors.
The bold regeneration project is part of Council plans to transform Stockton Town Centre, replacing unwanted retail space with an urban park and a land bridge structure that will reconnect the High Street to the river.
The urban park's layout takes influence from the linear burgage plots and historic connections between the working river and High Street. The nine Corten steel arch entrance points are located at key historic building yard entrances.
They are etched with extracts of historic maps of the area, so visitors can compare their current location with the historic street scene. References to past building occupants and much-loved local businesses also feature like Wilson's Department Store, John Walker's chemist store, Vane Arms, Doggart's Drapers, Millers Candy Store and Rossi's Continental Cafe.
Further nods to Stockton's historic streetscape are included in the kerbs around the park's perimeter, where the numbers of historic properties which lined the streets before Castlegate Shopping Centre are etched.
Artist Aphra O'Connor has also created a series of six illustrations that have been etched into granite paving panels along Finkle Street, in collaboration with Tees Valley Arts.
The panels are designed to conjure up the lives of those who have lived in the Waterfront area of the town centre, whose stories are connected to the theme of Yarrow, a plant embedded in English and international folk history and is still found at Stockton Waterfront today.
The designs are inspired by tarot cards, showing six characters from Stockton's history. Some of these are well-rooted, others unknown and some are imaginary characters based on the research of the Waterfront's past.
Aphra O'Connor said: "This commission was an exciting opportunity to understand more about Stockton's rich history and create designs that preserve the past and present new narratives about the town for future audiences to enjoy in Stockton Waterfront urban park."
Interpretation celebrating the important story of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) also features on the area close to the river edge, marking where the original railway ran along the riverside. A large, lit sculpture, which is three metres tall will also be installed on the riverside area. This is solar-powered and celebrates the S&DR's legacy, its connection to the community and the importance of light in the safe movement of people and waggons.
The Council has worked with Ryder Architecture and appointed contractor Esh Construction on the ambitious design of the urban park. Ryder's approach embraced the site's history, using the historic forms of buildings and plots of land as the underlying inspiration for the new layout.
Councillor Richard Eglington, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: "Stockton Waterfront is the latest chapter in the transformation of Stockton Town Centre and is a significant opportunity to drive further economic growth, but it will also be an essential environmental and cultural asset.
"Parks and gardens have considerable heritage value for people and Stockton Town Centre is also in a conservation area, so it's important that our local history is celebrated and protected.
"We've been working with local groups and the Stockton Northern Gateway Townscape Heritage Project to improve links to other culturally important parts of the town and through these wonderful features in the new urban park, many visitors will choose to visit purely for its cultural heritage, boosting footfall and tourism opportunities."
Find out more about the features in Stockton Waterfront urban park.
