NEHL - Ropner Park features two bowling greens and a tennis ground on the northern end of the grounds.

Back in 1890 Stockton Council, like many at this time, sought to improve the wellbeing of an increasingly growing population. More people had time for recreation and leisure given the reduction in working hours and increase in living standards. Major Robert Ropner, a shipbuilder at Stockton and Conservative MP, provided the funds to the council to lay out a park at Hartburn fields in 1893. It was officially opened by the Duke & Duchess of York.

From its inception, the park had a tennis ground and two bowling greens. The greens were utilised by Ropner Park Bowling Club from 1895, playing friendlies against other local teams like Middlesbrough from the outset. The association still exists as do the greens.