Attention: You are using an outdated browser, device or you do not have the latest version of JavaScript downloaded and so this website may not work as expected. Please download the latest software or switch device to avoid further issues.

News > Outside In: National Parks/Nature Reserve > Augusta Quarry

Augusta Quarry

The Augusta Quarry design by PORT enhances safety and lake access while showcasing the site’s rich history, incredible scale, and dramatic views within the secluded limestone quarry.
Photos by PORT
Photos by PORT

Completed in 2025

Once a 1000’ high hill topped by a Union Civil War fort, Augusta Quarry has transformed through decades of limestone excavation into a tranquil 200-foot-deep lake surrounded by dramatic ramps and cliff faces. Following its closure in the 1970s, the site has become a haven for informal water activities. PORT and Sanders Pace Architecture have partnered with the Aslan Foundation and the City of Knoxville to formalize Augusta Quarry into one of Knoxville’s most popular recreation destinations.
 


The design prioritizes safety, accessibility, and ecological restoration while celebrating the quarry’s rich history and industrial heritage. The project features include:

Formalized park entry: A new access road, signage, and wayfinding systems create a welcoming and navigable arrival experience for visitors. Parking areas and accessible pathways ensure inclusive access for all.
Floating docks and swimming piers: Strategically placed docks and piers extend recreational opportunities while preserving the lake’s existing shallow-water swimming areas and the quarry’s iconic boulder outcroppings.
Redesigned ramps and overlooks: Quarry ramps and cliff-side overlooks are reimagined with safety measures and accessible trails, offering dramatic views and connecting visitors to the lakefront.
Integrated visitor amenities: Restroom and changing kiosks, vendor storage, and picnic areas are thoughtfully designed into the site’s rugged topography, blending seamlessly with the landscape.
Ecological restoration: A comprehensive strategy includes invasive species management, habitat creation, and native plantings to enhance biodiversity and stabilize the site’s rewilded environment.
Phase 1, completed in 2019, included parking areas, accessible paths, and significant native plantings. Phase 2, completed just this past summer, focuses on enhancing water access and amenities such as restroom and changing kiosks, additional overlooks, and an extended waterfront experience.

 

 

Team Members: Sanders Pace Architecture (Architect),

Cannon & Cannon, FSC (MEP),

Haines Structural Group (Structural),

Johnson,

Mirmiran & Thompson (Civil)

Website: https://www.porturbanism.com/projects/augusta-quarry

Similar stories

Photos by IJK

Cities Beyond Boundaries by IJK Solutions – ASLA PA–DE More...

Rodney Reservoir Park by Hinge Collective transforms a former reservoir atop one of Wilmington’s highest points into a g… More...

Most read

Scout’s Development of Former UArts Buildings on South Broad Street Will Soft Launch With Early Activations Beginning Fall 2025! More...

The numbers say it all: Steel is part of the solution, not the problem. More...

Have your say

 
image

Address

1218 Arch StreetPhiladelphia,PA 19107

T (215) 569-3186
info@designphiladelphia.org

Legal

This website is powered by
ToucanTech