The City of Aurora purchased the 48‑acre lakefront on December 20, 2024, paying $5.3 million to secure the former SeaWorld and Six Flags property for public use. Aurora Mayor Tim O’Connor said the acquisition was a “turning point for the region’s open‑space future.”
The first phase, opening October 25, 2026, spans nine acres of lakefront and features a restored pier, picnic tables, restrooms, and kayak and boat ramps. Park Director Lisa Patel noted, “We’re re‑introducing the lake to the community, one paddle at a time.”
The city’s master plan calls for a public beach, a playground, a pool house, and an amphitheatre in subsequent phases, with the playground slated for 2028. City Planner Mark Rivera added, “We’re building toward a year‑long experience, not a single event.”
The site once hosted SeaWorld Ohio, Six Flags Worlds of Adventure, and Wildwater Kingdom; its closure in 2016 left the lakefront idle for years. Local resident Maria Lopez recalled, “My kids used to run up and down the gates—now we’re walking the same path, but with a beach.”