New Plan Proposed For Former Geauga Lake / SeaWorld of Ohio Property
After years of rumors, it seems plans are officially in the works for the former Geauga Lake / Sea World property in Aurora, Ohio. According to Aurora Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin, the Pulte Group has submitted plans to the City of Aurora to develop acreage on the Aurora side of the property — unfortunately this is something different than its entertaining past.
The image shows the 247-acre parcel that Pulte Homes is planning to develop under Aurora’s mixed-use zoning. Homes would be constructed on both sides of the former Erie Railroad tracks behind Liberty Ford and to the West of Twinsburg Development Co. Commercial and office space would be behind and to the South side of Liberty Ford, and parkland would be between the two housing sections – Courtesy Aurora Planning-Zoning Department.
Cedar Fair owns about 650 acres in Aurora and Bainbridge Township, which were once sites of “Sea World of Ohio” and “Geauga Lake“. The proposed plans by the Pulte Group include houses, condos, commercial development and public parkland. This includes building 321 homes on a 247-acre parcel of Cedar Fair-owned land north of Treat Road — the land that was once home to a large parking lot for SeaWorld, an overflow parking lot, and the former Geauga Lake Campground.
“I am pleased that a single developer is interested in this acreage, about 245 acres, and is presenting a comprehensive plan consistent with our zoning. I also am excited at the prospect of an additional city-owned park in a beautiful area on the north side of Treat Road. It’s great that there is such an interest in a large portion of the vacant land that’s in Aurora.” the mayor said in a statement.
According to Portage County property records, the development area consists of six parcels with a total appraised value of $2.54 million. Although Cedar Fair / Geauga Lake LLC still own the land, Pulte officials have put together a purchase agreement that allows them authorization to seek all approvals for the proposed development.
The proposed 321 homes would be erected on 111 acres, while 20.6 acres would be reserved for commercial and office space in the mixed-use development. The remaining 112 acres would be donated to the city for a public park. Under the city’s mixed use zoning, residential growth is limited to 2.5 units per acre, but Pulte is proposing a density of 1.4 units per acre.
“Pulte’s proposal aligns with the city’s longtime planning objectives for that land. We’ll be able to preserve a good portion of the land, and that is very beneficial. There are some beautiful sites for homes on the old campground section of the land, and future trails are a good possibility back there”. said Womer Benjamin.
Until now, Cedar Fair has only sold a small parcel of the total acreage. One sale was to Liberty Ford dealership on Squires Road, and the other was the former Geauga Lake Hotel, which is now the Atrium at Anna Maria.
It’s worth noting that this development proposal is all on the former SeaWorld side and does not include any lakefront access. It also does not use any of the actual land SeaWorld or Geagua Lake parks occupied — only the parking lots and campground areas of said parks. So, even if this proposal is approved, the land of which the parks themselves actually occupied, is still tba….
The proposal will be discussed at the city planning commission’s May 15 meeting. The land is bordered by Route 43 and Treat Road, Squires Road, the Bainbridge Township line and Twinsburg Development Co.
Geauga Lake was owned at times by Six Flags and Cedar Fair, the company behind Cedar Point. In 1970, SeaWorld Ohio opened on the other side of the lake. That portion of the park eventually became Wildwater Kingdom. The Geauga Lake side, known for its classic rides such as the Big Dipper, Double Loop, and the Raging Wolf Bobs, closed in 2007. Some of its major attractions have been relocated to other Cedar Farks such as Kings Dominion, Michigans Adventure, Carowinds, and more. Wildwater Kingdom water park continued to operate until closing in 2016.
Fans can still own a piece of Geauga Lake history from auction sites like Ebay – such as this one:
Avid amusement park go-ers from around the world are still upset about this amusement park closing. What would you like to see be developed at the former site? Let us know in the comments below or on our socials!
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