Aurora closes on purchase of Sea World, Geauga Lake properties for future park

More than a year after announcing plans to transform the former Sea World and Geauga Lake properties into a public park, the city of Aurora finally owns the properties.

Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said the city officially closed on 48 acres of lakefront land, as well as the 53-acre spring-fed lake formerly part of Sea World. The mayor, who previously said the city has been doing its “due diligence” on the site for years, said plans are on track to complete the first phase of the park by 2026.

“This project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the City of Aurora,” Womer Benjamin stated in a press release. “We are not only securing lake access for the public, but we are also creating a regional destination that will become a gem of Northeast Ohio. We look forward to turning this vision into a reality and enhancing our community’s quality of life.”

The $4.5 million deal was presented to City Council in 2023. The acquisition is being funded with approximately $1.3 million from the American Rescue Plan Act funds, with the rest covered by the city’s general fund.

What happened to Sea World and Geauga Lake parks?

Geauga Lake park dates to 1887, when it was called Giles Pond and soon after Picnic Lake Park. It closed for good in 2007. Wildwater Kingdom remained until 2016.

Sea World opened in 1970 and closed in 2000, when the park was taken over by Six Flags, which operated the Geauga Lake amusement park at the time.

Six Flags combined the two parks and billed the attraction as the largest theme park in the world.

Cedar Fair, the parent company of Cedar Point, took over in 2004 and slowly dismantled the combined park before closing the amusement park side of the lake in 2007. The Wildwater Kingdom waterpark continued to operate for nine more years.

What are the city’s plans?

Womer Benjamin said the park will include a beach, swimming pool and non-motorized boating, among other amenities. The former Wave Pool at Geauga Lake could be transformed into a zero depth pool, and the aquarium building has been envisioned for commercial development, such as a restaurant.

“This was an extremely complex real estate transaction, involving a 53-acre lake and land in two municipalities and two counties,” said Dean DePiero, Aurora law director, who played a pivotal role in negotiating the deal. “This is a project that will benefit the residents of this community and all of Northeast Ohio for generations to come. After overcoming several legal hurdles, all parties came together to finalize the deal.”

Bainbridge Township trustees, city officials said, also provided assistance through the negotiations.

“I am thrilled that the purchase of the property at Geauga Lake has been successful, thanks to the combined efforts of the city council, the mayor, and the administration,” said George Horvat, president of City Council. “This collaborative achievement will transform the area into a beautiful green space for our community. The former Sea World property has been a cherished part of Aurora’s history, and we are excited to see it continue to bring joy and recreation to our residents.”

Several years ago, Womer Benjamin said previously, a developer approached the city with a plan to put hundreds of homes along the lakefront. The city, she said, determined the lakefront portion of the property would not become a housing development on the Aurora side.

“This is a legacy purchase for the people of Aurora,” Womer Benjamin said. “Instead of having commercial and residential development, we are preserving a beautiful and memorable lake and adjacent land for the public’s future enjoyment.”

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Aurora closes on purchase of Sea World, Geauga Lake properties

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