Signature Park – Community Engagement Meeting #2 Video Outline 

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.000

Hello, and thank you for taking the time to learn more about Signature Park.

00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:16.000

I’m Kelly Finkowski, a landscape architect at Dig Studio and the project manager for the Signature Park Design Team.

00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:21.000

In this brief slideshow we’ll walk through a quick overview of the park,

00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:24.000

what we’ve heard from the community so far,

00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:27.000

and the concept options we’re asking for your feedback on.

00:00:27.000 --> 00:00:39.000

Signature Park is a 147-acre undeveloped Community Park in north-central Aurora, located near South Airport Boulevard and East Alameda Parkway.

00:00:39.000 --> 00:0:53.000

The City of Aurora is updating the park’s master plan to create a long-term vision that reflects community priorities, protects natural resources, and enhances recreation.

00:0:53.000 --> 00:01:04.000

Building on the original 2006 plan, this update reflects Aurora’s growth, evolving community needs and modern park priorities.

00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:12.000

Signature Park is being reimagined to reflect today’s community values and environmental priorities.

00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:17.000

The goal is to create a park that is both a community destination for recreation

00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:21.000

and a place that reflects Aurora’s natural systems and landscape.

00:01:21.000 --> 00:01:29.000

Currently, the site is classified as a Natural and Conservation Area, but it will become a designated Community Park.

00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:36.000

That means balancing active recreation with habitat preservation and nature-based experiences.

00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:43.000

Signature Park is one of Aurora’s largest undeveloped parks and includes East Toll Gate Creek.

00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:47.000

In the future, the park will blend nature, recreation, and community.

00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:57.000

The updated plan will ensure trails, access points and park amenities support habitat restoration and flood resiliency.

00:01:57.000 --> 00:02:03.000

On the project timeline, you can see we’ve completed one round of community engagement.

00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:12.000

During April, we are in the second round of community engagement. At the end of this design phase we will have an updated park master plan.

00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:20.000

During the first round, we gathered feedback through a survey and open house.

00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:25.000

We heard from over 70 community members, most living within a few miles of the park.

00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:37.000

You told us it’s important to protect and highlight nature, including habitat, wetlands and native planting, create strong trail connections to surrounding neighborhoods and parks,

00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:43.000

and provide family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, fitness and recreation.

00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:50.000

In the survey, we learned which park amenities would be most important to you and your household. 

00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:57.000

The most desired features included creek observation areas, habitat preservation,

00:02:57.000 --> 00:02:59.000

a large destination playground, and multi-use trails.

00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:05.000

We also learned what you thought of the overall character of the park.

00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:15.000

When thinking about the future of Signature Park you told us that the park should feel natural and exploratory, vibrant and playful, and connected.

00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:21.000

With all that great feedback, we refined the Signature Park vision statement to be: 

00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:27.000

A community park rooted that is rooted in nature, encourages exploration and

00:03:27.000 --> 00:03:37.000

supports vibrant playful gathering spaces for the community while balancing conservation values and active recreation in alignment with PROS goals.

00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:42.000

Using your feedback we developed two concept options.

00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:53.000

Both share a common foundation ecological restoration along the creek, multi-use trails, and recreation amenities like sports fields and play areas.

00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:56.000

They differ in how these elements are arranged and experienced.

00:03:56.000 --> 00:03:58.000

Let’s take a look.

00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:02.000

This slide shows Concept Option A.

00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:06.000

Key ideas in Concept A include the following

00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:12.000

Tennis and pickleball courts are located on the western edge of the site, along Airport Boulevard.

00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:16.000

In this option there are four pickleball courts and six tennis courts.

00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:27.000

The playground is just east of the courts, with smaller play and picnic areas dispersed into the natural landscape of this location.

00:04:27.000 --> 00:04:33.000

A dog park is near the central part of the site, and the soccer fields are to the east of the dog park.

00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:40.000

Trails from the south side of the park cross the creek and connect to a nature loop on the north side of the creek

00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:46.000

Overall, these nature trails are simple and clear. Along the nature trails are two nature nodes.

00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:58.000

In both options the nature nodes could be something like an overlook with seating and shade, educational signage, nature play, fitness equipment, seating logs or boulders.

00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:02.000

In both plans there are multiple neighborhood connections.

00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:06.000

Concept B takes a slightly different approach.

00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:10.000

Key ideas in Concept B include the following 

00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:17.000

Just like option A, the tennis and pickleball courts are located on the western edge of the site along Airport Boulevard

00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:21.000

In this option there are six pickleball courts and two tennis courts.

00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:27.000

To the east of these courts is a restored native landscape area with nature trails.

00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:31.000

Further to the east in the central part of the site is the playground.

00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:36.000

In this option the playground and picnic area is concentrated into a central zone.

00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:42.000

Nearby the playground is the dog park, and continuing to the east are two soccer fields.

00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:48.000

Trails from the south side of the park cross the creek and connect to nature trails on the north side of the creek.

00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:53.000

Overall, these nature trails offer more circulation options.

00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:56.000

Along the nature trails are three nature nodes.

00:05:56.000 --> 00:05:59.000

In both plans there are multiple neighborhood connections.

00:05:59.000 --> 00:06:06.000

In this option there is an additional neighborhood connection at the northwestern portion of the site at Airport Blvd.

00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:15.000

In addition to the layout options we’ve also want to understand what you want for the overall look and feel of the park. 

00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:20.000

So we've created two mood boards that explore different design styles.

00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:29.000

These mood boards are not tied to a specific concept plan. They're about the character and experience of the park. 

00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:41.000

Option one is Inspired by Nature. This direction focuses on natural materials, native planting, and a design that feels integrated with the surrounding landscape.

00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:44.000

You'll see elements like nature play features and earth tone colors.

00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:49.000

This option leans towards a quieter more organic park experience.

00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:54.000

Option two takes a more bold and colorful approach.

00:06:54.000 --> 00:07:03.000

This directions emphasizes bright colors, a variety of play elements and features that stand out against the natural landscape.

00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:11.000

You'll see playful forms and structures, more expresive design elements and spaces that feel energetic and vibrant.

00:07:11.000 --> 00:07:16.000

This option creates a more playful and visually dynamic experience.

00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:21.000

Now we want to hear from you about key decisions.

00:07:21.000 --> 00:07:25.000

We're not asking you to design the park, we're asking what matters most to you.

00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:31.000

We want to know what park layout you like the best, what recreational activities are most to you,

00:07:31.000 --> 00:07:34.000

and what you want for the look and feel of the spaces.

00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:38.000

And ultimately which concept you prefer overall.

00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:42.000

Your feedback directly shapes the next phase of design.

00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:45.000

We'll use your input to refine a preferred concept.

00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:50.000

Please take a few minutes to complete the online survey and share your thoughts.

00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:58.000

You can scan this QR code on the screen to find the survey and more project information on the Engage Aurora site.

00:07:59.000 --> 00:08:03.000

Thank you for helping shape the future of Signature Park.