Riverside Gardens

Riverside Gardens is a new public space which will form a key gateway to the flagship Forge Island leisure development and wider town centre. The introduction of additional green spaces and play, with connections to the river and nature are a major part of the vision for the town centre.

The proposals for Riverside Gardens include:

• A series of soft landscaped terraces
• Accessible routes from Market Street and Domine Lane
• Natural play for children
• The creation of a riverside walk along the River Don
• Artwork along the riverside walk
• New seating and dwell spaces for visitors to relax and enjoy the views.

The scheme extends to Market Street and Domine Lane, with a prime focus on pedestrian access along and into Riverside Gardens. With the pedestrianisation of Domine Lane, the aim is to form an entrance leading to Riverside Gardens and Forge Island from the town centre.

The Forge Island leisure development will include an 8-screen state-of-the-art boutique cinema, delivered by The Arc Cinema, alongside a 69-room Travelodge hotel. This will be complemented by restaurants, bars and attractive public spaces, creating an exciting mixed-use destination.

Riverside Gardens Virtual Walk-Through

Riverside Gardens was funded following a successful bid to the government’s Future High Streets Fund. The award was based on transforming an underused and unattractive surface car park into a vibrant new park. Further investment in the project was secured through the government’s Levelling up Fund, which has allowed the park to be expanded across Market Street, with improved links along Domine Lane and Corporation Street.

For further details or if you have any queries about Riverside Gardens, please email rory.battye@rotherham.gov.uk