After years of planning, collaboration and innovative design development, Stockton Waterfront Urban Park is now open, marking a major milestone in one of the North East’s most significant regeneration schemes.

Designed in partnership with Ryder Architecture and Timberplay Ltd, the £23 million transformation reconnects Stockton High Street with the River Tees through an expansive, multi-functional urban park. At its heart is a landmark play space, conceived as a destination in its own right—where children, families and communities can come together through play.

From the earliest stages of the project, Ryder and Timberplay worked closely to integrate play into the wider landscape vision, ensuring the playground feels intrinsically connected to its setting rather than an added feature.

This collaboration combines Ryder’s award-winning expertise in delivering inclusive, place-led urban environments with Timberplay’s specialism in designing world-leading playgrounds using sustainably sourced materials. Together, the teams have created a play experience that is inclusive, engaging and deeply rooted in the needs and aspirations of the local community.

Designing for Inclusion and Community

The design concept draws inspiration from the site’s rich heritage, weaving local stories and historical references into a contemporary and engaging play experience.

Inclusivity was a fundamental principle throughout the design process, ensuring that children and families of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can play, explore and connect together.

Developed in close collaboration with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and in consultation with the Stockton Parent Carer Forum, the space reflects the diverse needs of families across the Borough.

This inclusive approach was showcased during a recent preview visit, where schoolchildren from Bowesfield Primary School and young adults from Vision 25 experienced the space firsthand.

One carer from Vision 25 commented:

“It’s amazing to see a park where people who use a wheelchair can play in the same place as those who don’t – they’re all together and it’s wonderful.”

This feedback reflects the project’s core ambition: to create a space where play is accessible, social and shared.

Reimagining the Town Centre

The wider urban park has been designed to support events, leisure and everyday community use—helping to increase footfall while strengthening connections between the town centre and the riverside.

The scheme represents a bold step forward in reimagining Stockton as a vibrant, people-focused destination.

Project Leadership Quotes

Timberplay Ltd

Paul Collings, Managing Director, said:

“We are immensely proud to have been part of this journey from concept to completion. This playground demonstrates what can be achieved when expertise in playground design sits alongside genuine collaboration and a shared commitment to inclusive, meaningful play.”

Mark Grimshaw, Associate Director and Project Lead, added:

“I’m absolutely delighted to see people now enjoying the wonderful new park in Stockton. This project is a personal career highlight, made possible by the openness and collaborative approach fostered by Esh Construction, Ryder and Stockton Council.

For many years, Timberplay has championed the role of play in public spaces. Seeing Stockton place such value on play as an integral part of this new park is incredibly encouraging and provides strong evidence of its importance.”

Ryder Architecture

Steve Blacklock, Principal and Project Director, said:

“This is an incredibly exciting milestone for Stockton, representing a bold reinvention of the traditional high street. It has been a privilege to lead the design, working with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council to reconnect the town centre with the River Tees.

It was fantastic to see the vision come to life during the park’s opening on Armed Forces Day, with hundreds of people enjoying the amphitheatre, exploring the play spaces and experiencing the gardens. This successful collaboration has resulted in a breathtaking destination that will attract visitors, support the local economy and provide a vibrant heart for Stockton for generations to come.”

Project Partners

This project has been delivered through the collaborative efforts of:

  • Esh Construction – Appointed contractor

  • Ryder Architecture – Lead designers of the urban park

  • Timberplay Ltd – Specialists in design-led play environments

  • Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council – Local Authority

  • Stockton Parent Carer Forum – Lived experience community consultant group

About Ryder Architecture

We are more than an architectural practice – we’re a team of teams with diverse and extensive expertise. We lead projects in our unique integrated way, delivering exceptional value and a positive impact for our clients and communities.

Founded in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1953, we now have teams collaborating across the UK and internationally, with a shared commitment to our ethos of Everything architecture – to improve the quality of the world around us and, in doing so, improve people’s lives.

About Timberplay

At Timberplay, we create world-class playgrounds that provide depth of play experiences for those who use them. We do this through design, manufacturing and installation expertise, built on a foundation of over 25 years of international experience, including our work on the Princess Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens. In exclusive partnership with Richter Spielgeräte, we collaborate with landscape architects, developers and communities to create high-quality, sustainable play environments that blend seamlessly into their surroundings while delivering exceptional play value, craftsmanship and longevity