Former SeaWorld Ohio property to become public park
The former SeaWorld Ohio property will be transformed into a public space called Aurora Park.
Image courtesy of United Parks & Resorts
Aurora Park at Geauga Lake will be a public park with amenities such as a beach and non-motorized boating, as reported by WKYC, a local Cleveland news station. The park will take up 47 acres. A groundbreaking ceremony took place on Oct. 23, 2025.
The property has a long history in the attractions industry, chronicled by WKYC, dating back to its opening as the Geauga Lake amusement park in 1887. SeaWorld Ohio opened adjacent to the park in 1970 before both establishments became a Six Flags destination in 2001. The final remnants of what ultimately became Wildwater Kingdom water park closed in 2016.
Today, SeaWorld parks continue to operate in Orlando, Fla.; San Antonio, Texas; San Diego, Calif.; and in Abu Dhabi. SeaWorld’s parent company, United Parks & Resorts, also operates Busch Gardens and Sesame Place theme parks. Meanwhile, Six Flags merged with Cedar Fair in 2024 and currently operates a combined portfolio of 56 parks.
When a theme park, water park, or amusement park closes, history has shown us varying examples of what happens next. Disney’s River Country water park at Walt Disney World sat dormant for years following its 2001 closure; the property is currently a construction site for a new Disney Vacation Club resort opening in 2027. On the site of the former Six Flags New Orleans, a developer announced plans for a sports complex, water park, movie studio, hotels, and retail locations in 2024. Six Flags America closes permanently later this week near Washington, D.C.; time will tell what becomes of the park’s property.
Did you ever visit SeaWorld Ohio, Six Flags Ohio, or Wildwater Kingdom? Stay tuned to Attractions Magazine for daily coverage of theme park news, trip reports from parks around the world, and exclusive interviews.
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Our one family vacation was driving from Niagara falls Ontario to sea world Ohio and Cedar point. Still remember the trip and the giant stuffed manatee my parents bought me from the main gift shop. Also Disney’s animated Hercules had kids meal toys at Burger King that summer! Good memories