Sunderland’s Smart Playparks top global leaderboard

Sunderland’s innovative approach to active play has hit the back of the net with their smart Yalp Sutu Football Wall and Sona Arch proving to be one of the most played in the world.

Throughout the year, usage data has shown that Sunderland’s interactive play equipment, located at Thompson Park and Seaburn Play Park, is officially some of the most played of its kind anywhere in the world, with kit playtime significantly higher than the worldwide average. 

These interactive installations are helping families get active, socialise and enjoy the outdoors.

The football wall at Thompson Park, installed as part of Sunderland’s smart playpark programme, offers a variety of engaging games. Blending tech with outdoor activity, the football wall responds to players with interactive lights and sound, offering a range of engaging games that encourage movement, skill-building and social connection. Thompson Park’s football wall is helping young people and families spend more time outdoors, being active together in the heart of their community.

Seaburn Park features a different kind of smart installation - the Yalp Sona Arch. This is a movement-based play system that uses music and motion sensors to spark inclusive games, plus encourage movement, social interaction and spontaneous fun for all ages and abilities.

Sunderland’s smart playparks are connecting people through play, in addition to offering superfast and free public Wi-Fi, alongside enhanced smart infrastructure.

The installations are a result of Sunderland City Council’s ambition to reimagine public spaces through smart, data-led solutions, creating more inclusive communities and environments that inspire healthier lifestyles. 

Liz St Louis, director of smart cities and enabling services at Sunderland City Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see Sunderland leading the way globally when it comes to interactive, digitally enhanced play. Data shows our football wall and arch aren’t just being used more than average - they’re being used consistently and enthusiastically by the community. 

“This kind of insight proves the value of smart infrastructure and helps us better design public services that respond to the needs and behaviours of our residents.”

These installations are part of a wider programme of smart city innovation being rolled out across Sunderland, including the Expo Pavilion immersive screen in Keel Square, and the UK first next generation infrastructure at the Stadium of Light: smart projects are transforming visitor experiences and traditional play into connected community spaces.

Councillor Alison Smith, cabinet member for corporate services and equalities at Sunderland City Council, added: “We’re committed to ensuring that residents of and visitors to our city can benefit from smart technology - not just through infrastructure or connectivity, but through experiences that build confidence, skills and wellbeing. 

“The success of our interactive football wall and Sona Arch shows how the right investment in smart public spaces can unlock enjoyment and healthy habits, while connecting communities and supporting our digital ambitions.

“With the summer holidays here, I’d encourage everyone to head to the playparks, get active, and help keep Sunderland at the top of the global leaderboard!”

The smart play equipment is powered by Yalp’s interactive play technology, with usage and performance monitored through a connected dashboard. This provides Sunderland City Council with live data on engagement levels, helping guide future investment, maintenance and development of further smart-enabled spaces.

The city’s smart playparks at Thompson Park and Seaburn, developed in collaboration with Boldyn Networks, form part of Sunderland’s broader smart city vision: to harness technology to improve lives, reduce inequality and promote sustainability. 

Plans are already underway to roll out similar smart play solutions in other locations across the city, ensuring more communities can enjoy the benefits of tech-enabled public spaces.