Roker Park
Alexander IlesRoker Park started as Sunderland Association Football Club’s stadium from the club’s founding in 1898 to 1997 when it was demolished and the club moved to the Stadium of Light. Crowds of over seventy five thousand had come to the stadium to watch the matches that occurred there. While those sorts of numbers are not seen today in the park – at least not on one day – the park is still a popular place for walks and entertainment in the city. The park today has pleasant walks beside creatively planted flower beds awash with colour and in the northern section, which is connected to Roker Beach by a small valley, is crossed by a wooden footbridge. The boating lake in the centre of the park is often used by model boat enthusiasts to sail their vessels and a narrow gauge rail track provides rides for children. The park also has sports facilities with basketball and tennis courts to use. Throughout the year there are also regular theatre productions and events which are hosted within the park.