The new 30-acre RiverEdge Park, near urban downtown Aurora, Illinois, includes a concert pavilion, riverwalk, bike path, lawn, and picnic areas. The project was completed within budget, and with long-life sources that allow for easy maintenance. RiverEdge Park is proving to be a draw for both performers and crowds alike, achieving the city’s goal of revitalizing the downtown area.

Schuler Shook provided architectural lighting design and theatre consulting services for the new John Dunham Pavilion located in the festival park along the Fox River. Designed for amplified music and live theatre, the pavilion accommodates 6,000.

The lighting is integrated into the architecture of the pavilion, allowing for a range of effects. The lighting design includes a scheme to allow the pavilion to be at rest. In this mode, the wood ceiling is simply revealed by uplights concealed atop the wing buildings and along the rear wall of the pavilion.

Contemporary, dark-sky friendly post-top fixtures are located throughout the site to provide general lighting for the plaza, sidewalks, and bicycle paths. Fixtures at the pavilion are zoned separately to be off during performances.