These views show Ropner Park on a beautiful day in August 2010. Courtesy of John Paul Storr. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
These views show Ropner Park on a beautiful day in August 2010. Courtesy of John Paul Storr.
Ropner park! Had spent many long summer days there. Short walk from Camden St cross Yarm lane, or is road? Down Spring st, cross the rail footbridge (hoping you don’t get choked by passing steam trains, though it was nice to see the driver wave), stop at the small sweet shop on the corner to get a penny ice lolly (I think its a dog parlour now), then into the best park in the world!
Bob, Ken and Benny thanks for the info. Bob I am very glad, in certain respects, that the site will no longer be an eye sore. However it’s yet another link with Stockton’s industrial past being erased. It is generally agreed by those of you who are still in the area that Ropner Park is well worth a visit and as I have already intimated, if my visit comes off, will certainly take a walk round it.
On a recent visit to Stockton I was amazed and pleased with the transformation of Ropner Park. It is a credit to the staff who have brought the park up to the standard I remember as a child. The only thing not restored was the Aviary where we could see exotic birds, where the Peacocks were allowed to roam freely in the area. The flower beds and the general look of the park was beautiful, including the pond where I can remeber sliding on the ice one year. At Easter we used to roll our Easter Eggs, not chocolate ones, hard boiled decorated hens eggs, down the slope near to the Bandstand. Also the Putting Green is missing from those long gone days. The Putting Green was a favourite of many of us who had competitions here on weekends. When you see a park like Ropner being cared for and presented in such a manner it is a tribute to the town. My parner Maureen, an Australian, was very impressed as she was with the Stockton Market and the general area of Stockton, especially the Riverside development. The only blight she commented on was the Ramsgate area being so poor in design and construcion when compared to other shopping areas she saw while in England. I also noticed a big improvement in the major superstores such as Tesco, Campbells, and the like. They are now world class in their choice and quality of foodstuffs. All in all Teesside is looking very progressive in the developments that have taken place over last decade.
Mike I fully agree with Irene that Ropner Park is looking wonderful after years of neglect. The council has done the town well with all the work that has been done but it came after they recieved a large grant for all of the refurbishment of the park. Lets hope they keep it in good condition for the next few years to come. I’m afraid the market and the town centre will still break your heart and the walk from Stockton to Norton is just about the same. I hope you enjoy your visit back to Stockton it has changed a lot over the years.
I am so pleased people are talking about our great Ropner Park, it has been part of my life since I was born in 1945. I have played there, courted there, pushed my own children and grandchildren round in prams – hail, rain, snow, all weathers. It did go into a bad state but thankfully it is now a lovely park to go to. The cafe and play area are so nice to go to and meet people for a natter so next time you can just go in and look at its splender. The Friends of Ropner park is a helpful site to look on for all the events that go on all year round. I can say this is one thing the council have got right – thank you and well done.
Mike you’ll notice a slight difference when you walk from Stockton to Norton. Work has started on the Hills site now. The owners have started on the decomtamination and reclamation which is to do with the preparation for starting the building of residential homes by Barratts. It’s about time something was done. This has been an eyesore since Hills was closed 13 1/2 years ago.
Irene if we get an Indian Summer might come down to Stockton early October and will certainly take in the park. It’s certainly good that the council have seen fit to keep the facilities up to scratch. A cafe no less, I assume it’s fairly new, I’ve been away for thirty years now and only come back occasionally. Last time the market almost broke my heart, as did the walk from Stockton to Norton. This however will be worth visiting.
The bandstand has been refurbished Mike, and there is musical entertainment from time to time. I’m sure the info will be available somewhere… Council or maybe Herald & Post. Ropner Park is beautiful, very well maintained with lovely colourful flowerbeds. In fact, the whole park has had a big makeover! We go regularly with our grandchildren as there’s plenty to keep them amused. Safe play area, lovely lake and birdlife, cafe, plus the tennis courts and bowling are still there. We took our own children and our parents took us to roll our paste eggs down the grassy banks and have picnics. It’s always been our ‘local’ and we’ve seen the changes take place over the years.
It’s good to see the bandstand looking so good. I can only guess that it has been refurbished. Are there any concerts still?