SCIOTO GROVE
Grove City, Ohio
CHALLENGE
To create a balance between essential community gathering spaces and the pristine natural environment of Columbus's first southern metro park, enhancing human connection with nature without disrupting the landscape's natural beauty.
SOLUTION
Our design team developed a strategic network of four distinctive open-air shelters that serve as both functional gathering spaces and portals to experience the surrounding landscape. Two intimate family shelters accommodate 8-10 people, while two larger pavilions host 16-20 visitors, addressing varied community needs. Each shelter was precisely positioned to frame views of the Scioto River, creating intentional moments of connection between visitors and the natural world.
The architectural language employs a sleek, unobtrusive aesthetic featuring natural wood elements that complement rather than compete with the surrounding environment. This restrained material palette creates a visual continuity between built and natural elements, while the minimal structural footprint preserves the site's ecological integrity. The shelter designs incorporate subtle sightlines that guide visitors' attention to specific landscape features, fostering a deeper appreciation of the park's natural assets.
IMPACT
Since opening in 2016 as Columbus's 19th Metro Park, Scioto Grove has transformed how residents in the southern region experience community connection within natural settings. The shelters provide essential gathering infrastructure that draws diverse community groups to the park year-round, supporting everything from family celebrations to educational programming.
By offering a thoughtful balance between accessibility and immersion, the park design has created a restorative ecosystem where urban residents can experience the documented health benefits of nature exposure. The strategic shelter placement throughout the park encourages exploration of the entire landscape, distributing human activity in ways that minimize environmental impact while maximizing opportunities for meaningful connection with nature and community.
