Meditation Point Renovation on schedule for Autumn completion

September 28, 2023 – UPDATE

If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit Arlington’s grounds in the past several months, the changes on Meditation Point at the Garden of Meditation would be surprising. The completion of the project is slated for mid-October, assuming cooperative weather.

The former Meditation Point has been expanded by creating an additional “peninsula” that stretches into Arlington Lake and provides extra land space for developing a new “cremation garden.” The centerpiece of the area will be a new gazebo and several different columbarium structures explicitly designed for the final placement of cremated remains and to address the ongoing growth in cremation in Cincinnati and throughout the country.

Arlington is the recipient of the gazebo gifted by Dan Brooks of North College Hill. The area will be renamed Brooks Meditation Point. According to Brooks, he and his wife often spent time together in the serene area of  Meditation Point. Jo Ann Brooks passed away in 2019, and the gazebo is in memory of her. “It was a special place for us, and I wanted to do something to help share that space with others,” said Brooks.

Once the gazebo has been placed, the design for the cremation niches will be completed followed by their construction. According to Arlington’s president, Dan Applegate, there will be opportunities to purchase niches on a pre-construction basis – most likely late this year or early 2024.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Arlington’s office for additional information.

July 15, 2023

A significant renovation project is set to transform an established developed site into a hub of interest and aesthetic appeal in a dramatic development of Arlington’s landscape. The initiative aims to reconstitute the existing infrastructure to reestablish and enhance the area’s significance relative to the cemetery.

The upcoming renovation project, spearheaded by architect Craig Brown of HWH Architects, Engineers & Planners of Cleveland, Ohio, will breathe new life into Meditation Point, a revered landmark located next to Arlington Lake at the Garden of Meditation that has stood as a serene and peaceful place of respite for several decades. However, due to age the area has slowly fallen into disrepair, and this ambitious undertaking intends to revitalize the site, creating another new and engaging space and design for visitors to the grounds.

The planned renovation will encompass various aspects, including a gazebo, among other landscaping enhancements. The gazebo was gifted to Arlington by Dan Brooks, in honor and remembrance of his wife, and will be known as the Brooks Memorial Gazebo. The overarching goal is to transform the area into another dynamic destination that offers an inviting environment for visitors.

Some of the adjacent area that is not currently being utilized will be developed as a cremation mini-campus as Arlington continues to respond to the surge in the demand for cremation options in the Tri-State area.

JCS Construction Company of Cincinnati will serve as the general contractor. The renovation project is anticipated to commence in July and is estimated to be completed within four months. Throughout the construction process, utmost care will be taken to minimize disruptions to the surrounding area and internment sites in the Garden of Meditation, and regular updates will be provided to keep the public informed of the project’s progress. Please note that some bronze memorials have been removed from the Garden of Meditation in preparation for the construction. We are actively researching and contacting this group of families via phone calls from the phone numbers we have on file.

If you have questions or would like more information, please call our office at 513-521-7003 (option 1) and ask to speak with Donna.