The City of Aurora is developing Skywatch Park, a new neighborhood park located at E. Smoky Hill Road and S. Ider Street in southeast Aurora. The project is being shaped through community input and has the potential for a unique, community-centered design that will provide new outdoor recreational opportunities for nearby residents.
Potential park features may include:
Playgrounds for all ages and abilities
Open play areas
Courts for various sports
Outdoor fitness equipment
Picnic areas with shade structures, seating, and grills
Walking paths
Skywatch Park is designed to provide open space, gathering areas, and opportunities for quiet reflection and recreation. Its elevated location offers expansive views of the sky and distant mountain ranges, making it a unique destination within the Aurora park system.
A prominent feature of the park is the FAA dome, a navigational radar facility, which serves as a visual landmark and subtle inspiration for the park’s name. While the dome itself is not to be altered, artists may consider how their work relates conceptually or visually to its presence and the broader idea of observation, navigation, and connection to the sky.
Artists are encouraged to explore concepts that thoughtfully engage with themes such as sky, light, reflection, presence, nature, peace, and the identity of Aurora. These may be literal or abstract in interpretation but should create a sense of connection between visitors and the environment, encouraging moments of pause, awareness, and appreciation of the natural surroundings.