Visitors flock to the play areas and amphitheatre of Stockton’s newly opened Waterfront Urban Park
The new attraction opened to the public with events to mark Armed Forces Day :: One happy visitor said: ‘It feels like you’re on holiday’
Procession for the Armed Forces Day thanksgiving service in Stockton
Crowds flocked to a transformed, sun-kissed Stockton town centre for the opening of the new Waterfront Urban Park.
The urban park cost £23m out of a total of £41.5m, which includes demolitions, with funding coming from the government, Tees Valley Combined Authority and Stockton Council. Following the five-year project, led by the council, the park opened to the public on a day blessed with gorgeous weather.
It kicked off a packed weekend of family activities, live entertainment and performances with Armed Forces Day Celebrations. College technician Mark Robinson, 38, and graphic designer Leisl Robinson, 36, were there early doors with their son Billy, two, who gave it a firm thumbs-up. Mark said: “It’s great, good for all ages of kids. They’ve done a good job on it.”
Leisl added: “It feels like you’re on holiday, especially at the bottom by the river. It’s nice that there’s somewhere in town.”
Sneaking a go on a slide was warehouse worker John Wright, 40, in the park with Lisa Samuel, 43, and son Billy, 11. The dad said: “I think it’s brilliant what they’ve done. It’ll bring a lot more people and families into the town centre.
“It’s brightened the place up a bit. There’s something for everyone really.” Lisa, who works as a carer, added: “It’s nice they’ve made it disabled-friendly.”
John Wright, 40, and Lisa Samuel, 43, with 11-year-old son Billy at the newly opened Stockton Waterfront Urban Park(Image: LDRS/applicable for all partners)
Retired labourer Cormac Doogan, 74, said: “It seems all right. Time will tell I suppose, if they look after it. I would like to see it do well.”
Another visitor gave a more sceptical view: “It’s not what Stockton needs but it’s here so let’s make the most of it. The town needs shops. Where do you put the shops when you’ve knocked down the only indoor shopping centre we had?”
Lisa Jackson, 59, said: “I think it looks lovely. Hopefully it’ll turn Stockton around and encourage more shops, revitalise it.” Her partner Brian Newcombe, 65, was more cautious: “If they use the amphitheatre to its full extent it’s going to be absolutely fantastic, but it’s a lot of money.”
As it turned out, the crowds naturally found their way to the amphitheatre and stage as the warm and rousing sounds of a brass band and a children’s choir rang across the growing throng. Car cleaner Andrew Davies, 64, said: “It’s like an open-air theatre. I’m quite impressed.”
Crowds gather in the amphitheatre at the newly opened Stockton Waterfront Urban Park.(Image: LDRS/applicable for all partners)
Support worker Joy Mbila, 45, said: “It’s lovely. I don’t even feel like I’m in Stockton. It feels like London or Manchester.”
The day’s events started with the procession for the Armed Forces Day thanksgiving service including the Salvation Army Band and a bugler. Stockton Mayor Councillor Bob Cook said: “It is fitting that Armed Forces Day is the first event to take place at the new Stockton Waterfront Park, which I’m sure you’ll all agree is an amazing space.
“We’ve been on a journey for the past five years from the closure of the Castlegate centre, and we are together standing in a space that will transform the lives of residents, communities and businesses.”
He later told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It opens up the High Street to the river and that’s what we’ve wanted for a number of years, to make sure the river’s an integral part of Stockton-on-Tees. It’s great for the young people of Stockton and a great events space, and hopefully events over the next few years will show that.”
Stockton Mayor Councillor Bob Cook at the newly opened Stockton Waterfront Urban Park.(Image: LDRS/applicable for all partners)
The Reverend Paul Neville, area dean of Stockton and vicar of Holy Trinity with St Mark, gave prayers for members of the armed forces and their families and friends, civilians affected by war and peacemakers, saying: “We want to be blessed in life. In lots of ways that’s what this is really all about, especially in this new setting for the community here for Stockton-on-Tees to thrive, where we can socialise and enjoy life.
“Today’s message is one of peace in a world that is full of turmoil, difficulty, hatred and war. And even in our own country, there are so many communities that are unsettled and divided, and it’s not the way, it can never be the way. We need each other more than we realise.”
After a flag-raising ceremony Michael Poole, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, paid tribute to the hard work, service, dedication and sacrifice of servicemen and women: “We must never take them for granted. Their professionalism, commitment and sense of duty deserve our deepest respect.
“They work to protect us in many ways from fighting wars to humanitarian relief, from peacemaking to search and rescue and much else besides. We owe them a debt that we can never fully repay.
Standard bearers at the Armed Forces Day thanksgiving service at the newly opened Stockton Waterfront Urban Park.(Image: LDRS/applicable for all partners)
“We also remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country. Their courage and selflessness remain an enduring example to us all.”
Ex-RAF Corporal Andrew Whitmore, 67, on parade with the Stockton and Thornaby RAF Association which helps and supports serving and ex-serving RAF personnel, said: “It’s a lovely atmosphere today, I’d come again definitely, 10 out of 10, a vast improvement. I’d like to see more concerts here, it’ll be fantastic.”
David Thompson, 66, also with the Stockton and Thornaby RAFA, said: “We should always remember and celebrate the armed forces and their sacrifices. The park looks superb, a good investment, let’s hope people embrace it and use it.”
The carnival atmosphere truly kicked into gear with Thornaby folk legends Cattle & Cane playing a special new song ‘Our Place’ with children from six Stockton schools and community singers. Singer-songwriter Joe Hammill said: “This is the first time it’s been performed. There’s no better feeling as a musician. Maybe in the future we can record it with kids and musicians.”
Ex-RAF Corporal Andrew Whitmore, 67, on parade with the Stockton and Thornaby RAF Association, at the newly opened Stockton Waterfront Urban Park.(Image: LDRS/applicable for all partners)
The crowds built through the park’s play areas, oval lawn and gardens, with face-painting, arts and crafts and numerous food stalls and vans. Shane Lyn, 31, with wife Catherine, 32, and one-year-old son Alfie, said: “He’s been in the park. He loved it.
“It’s nice for all the small businesses and food trucks. It’s nice to see so many people out enjoying the space. It’ll definitely be a boost for the economy.”
Remember Me Tea Rooms, facing the park on Finkle Street, is clearly doing a good trade. “I need to be an octopus,” one staff member is heard to say.
Chloe Adams, 42, manager of Finkle Street’s Retro No. 9 cafe, said: “We’ve been rammed from opening. It’s been amazing and the park looks gorgeous. We’ve got lots of new faces coming out. It’s going really well, hence the beads of sweat.
A play area at the newly opened Stockton Waterfront Urban Park(Image: LDRS/applicable for all partners)
“We’ve got a beautiful view. I’m glad I’m not staring at white boards now.”
Owner Anne Ford said: “I hope it’s good for the town and not just for weekends. It’s lovely to see kids playing and laughing. The kids’ laughter’s been amazing this week.”
Nigel Jamison, 63, who sells collectable toys and antiques from Finkle Street’s flea market, said: “We’ve got a few more in than usual. Let’s hope a brighter future for us all.”
Trading standards officer Samantha McCluskey, 39, relaxing in the park with her children and labrador Ruby, said: “This is good for them, it’s much more adventurous. It makes the river more available with the activities, it should hopefully bring more people to the High Street.”
Samantha McCluskey, 39, with her nine-year-old children Pippa and Max and labrador Ruby at the newly opened Stockton Waterfront Urban Park.(Image: LDRS/applicable for all partners)
Her son Max, nine, said: “I think it’s really good.” His sister Pippa, nine, said: “There’s lots for the big kids and little kids, you can look around a lot.”
Education welfare officer Lisa Davies, 44, added: “It’s very open and very nice, there’s a lot of space. It might make us come more because it’s a day out.”
Did you know you can make Teesside Live a preferred source of Teesside news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here.
For Stockton news direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
