New Park Dedication In Aurora Friday

Gabbard Riverfront Park has already been hosting some events.

Aurora's new Gabbard Riverfront Park. Photo by Mike Perleberg, Eagle Country 99.3.

(Aurora, Ind.) - A brand new park will be dedicated in downtown Aurora today, part of the city's bicentennial.

Gabbard Riverfront Park has turned an old, empty lot into a greenspace with a stage and a view of the Ohio River. Looming over the park is a giant mural on the side of a warehouse.

Aurora City Manager Guinevere Emery says walls, podiums, and landscaping features of the park were constructed using bricks from the demolished Gabbard building.

A fun and unique feature of the new park is the swing pergola. Only a couple swings have been installed so far, but there will eventually be right of them. Emery says a sponsorship is still needed for one of the swings for a donation of $3,000. Contact Emery if you or your business are interested.

Emery says members of the namesake Gabbard family, which once operated a furniture business at the park site, will be on-hand for Friday's dedication.

A ribbon-cutting for the new park at the corner of Second and Judiciary streets will happen at 5:30 p.m. It will be followed by a 20 year celebration for Main Street Aurora. Live music from the Indiana Mug Bugs will round out the evening until 10:00.

The park hosted one of its first events, Aurora's Hard Hat Hangout, on June 15.