Aurora Park Aurora, Ohio
Role
Landscape Architecture / Planning
People Involved
Jeffrey Pongonis, Cullen Meves, Michael Davis, Jian Shi, Leah Li, Abby Lawless
Typology
Public Park, Waterfront
Project Timeline
2025 - Ongoing
Collaborators
Strand Associates, DLR Group, PROS Consulting, Tinkers Creek Watershed, Chagrin River Watershed, Counsilman Hunsaker
A once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine Aurora Park as a regional destination and a cherished gem for the residents of Aurora and neighboring communities
MKSK worked with the City of Aurora following their acquisition of Geauga Lake and approximately 40 acres of land previously occupied by SeaWorld Ohio and Wildwater Kingdom amusement park on the lakefront, to develop a plan that brings the community’s vision to life and positions the park to serve as an iconic destination for recreation and relaxation.
The overall conceptual plan for Aurora Park sought to strike a balance between active and passive uses, capitalize on the site’s natural assets—particularly its shoreline and topography—and usher in a new era for a location that has already experienced several evolutions in community recreation and amusement.
At the heart of the plan is a vision to fully realize the potential of the site’s 1,700 linear feet of shoreline, bringing renewed access, variety, and moments of delight to this area of Geauga Lake. Along the water’s edge, the proposed design features docks, boardwalks, scenic overlooks, and connections to iconic, nostalgic landmarks like the Aquarium and Pearl Diving buildings. A central swimming beach anchors the shoreline experience and ties directly into a planned walking trail around the lake.
MKSK is currently advancing the design and construction documentation to implement this once-in-a-generation regional park destination.
