City of Aurora News …

Aurora Plans Acquisition of Geauga Lake and Land in Former SeaWorld for Beach Access and Public Park

According to auroraoh.com, Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin is proposing that Aurora acquire Geauga Lake together with 40 acres of lakefront land in the former SeaWorld from Industrial Commercial Properties (ICP). The city would pay about $4.5 million for the purchase.

Womer Benjamin said that, while plans for the property are not finalized, she is expecting the city to redevelop the property into a public park with a pool, beach and related amenities, non-motorized boating, and other recreational attractions. You can see tentative plans in the conceptual drawings on the city’s website.

The city has been working on this project for a couple of years, Womer Benjamin said. “This is a legacy purchase for the people of Aurora,” the mayor said. “It is the opportunity of a lifetime to guarantee our residents lake access and a destination that is going to be one of the gems of Northeast Ohio.”

In November 2020, ICP announced it had acquired the remaining 377 acres that had been the home of Geauga Lake Amusement Park and SeaWorld Ohio, straddling Bainbridge Township in Geauga County and the City of Aurora in Portage County. Aurora negotiated a Joint Economic Development District (“JEDD”) Agreement with the township in 2020 which provided certain economic benefits to the city for its provision of utilities to the Bainbridge side of the property. That has enabled ICP to pursue redevelopment on the Bainbridge side, including plans for residential and retail areas. Redevelopment on the Aurora

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side has included a new Liberty Ford facility, and in the last several years Pulte Homes has been constructing residential developments on some of the property along Squires and Treat roads.

Womer Benjamin said the city’s purchase of the 40 acres of lakefront land and the 53-acre springfed lake has a different focus.

“The lake has been a recreational attraction of the community for decades, and to lose access when the parks closed was certainly disappointing. To reinstitute lake access coupled with a park and recreational amenities will enhance the overall community and enable the public to enjoy a beautiful area of Northeast Ohio. Furthermore, instead of housing units we will have greenspace,” she said.

To pay for the acquisition, the city will use about $1.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with the remainder coming from general fund money budgeted for that purpose. Under the agreement, ICP will pay for a substantial portion of the demolition cost of some of the remaining structures on the 40 acres of land being acquired by Aurora.

The iconic SeaWorld aquarium may possibly be redeveloped as a restaurant or similar facility. Site work on the property is expected to begin within 12 months after demolition is completed.

"We expect to tackle this project in stages but are eager to provide public access as soon as reasonably possible,” Womer Benjamin said.

“There are still many decisions to be made and more to come on this exciting opportunity.”

Walden Association NoticeNo Fishing Allowed

The Walden Association reminds adults and children alike that all bodies of water in Walden are “non-activity” and are on private property. As such, there is no fishing permitted in Walden. It is considered trespassing by the Walden Company and the Walden Association to allow anyone to fish in any body of water within Walden. Please alert security if and when you see this activity happening in Walden and it will be addressed promptly.