1 Exhibit 23(a) ERNST & YOUNG LLP - One Columbus - Phone: 614 224 5678 10 West Broad Street Fax: 614 222 3939 Columbus, Ohio 43215-3400 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the use of our report dated January 21, 1997, in Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 33-20417) and related Prospectus of Park National Corporation for the registration of 2,345,000 shares of its common stock. ERNST & YOUNG LLP February 11, 1997