Scioto Mile Case Study

Located in the heart of downtown Columbus, the Scioto Mile is an urban parkland oasis stretching along the riverfront from the vibrant Arena District to the natural beauty of the Whittier Peninsula.

The Scioto Mile reconnects downtown to the Scioto River through an integrated system of parks, boulevards, bikeways and pedestrian paths. The Scioto Mile project reclaims the riverfront and plays an essential role in the revitalization of downtown by offering a vibrant public space and gathering place. The pedestrian-friendly Promenade runs south on Civic Center Drive from Broad Street. Intimate garden plantings, comfortable seating areas, relaxing park swings, and elegant bronze fish fountains have made it the most romantic place to watch a sunset in Central Ohio.

The historic Bicentennial Park space is reinvented and features a restaurant, amphitheater, rose garden, and signature dynamic fountain, which offers numerous water play experiences. During the evening, LED lights and a projector system display images on the fountain, adding drama to the downtown skyline. The amphitheater and event lawn are used for weekend activities such as movies in the park and concerts. Green infrastructure components have contributed to the success of the Scioto Mile. By removing 1,000-linear-feet of concrete revetment and deteriorating floodwall, three acres of parkland were recovered and 600-linear-feet of bio-retention were installed to improve water quality and enhance river edge restoration.