Ohio's Abandoned Lakeside Amusement Park Will Thrive Again As A Public Green Space

Ohio was once home to the largest theme park in the world. Geauga Lake, a historic amusement park that was established back in 1887 and was in operation for over a century, acquired its nearby neighbor SeaWorld in 2001, and became Six Flags Worlds of Adventure. Covering over 700 acres, this enormous attraction cemented Ohio's reputation as one of the best destinations in the U.S. for roller coaster lovers.

However, in 2007 it closed its doors for several reasons, including a stark decline in visitor numbers. For the last decade, Geauga Lake has been one of the closed amusement parks that Americans still get nostalgic for, but this is all about to change. Although its days as a destination for thrill seekers may be over, a plan is now in place to breathe new life into the site and bring tourists and local visitors back to this charming lakeside spot, by turning it into a public park.

Geauga Lake is located just outside the small town of Reminderville, on the border of Aurora in northeastern Ohio. It is about a 45-minute drive from both Cleveland and Akron, making it a very accessible spot for visitors from outside the local area, and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is a little closer, just over half an hour away by car.

The City of Aurora has announced that, following the purchase of the lake and around 47 acres of land, it intends to develop the land as a public park and green space. This will take the area back to its original use, before the theme park was first built, when Geauga Lake was known as Picnic Lake and was a popular spot for al fresco dining, fishing, and swimming.

The plans for Geauga Lake are an interesting mix of green space, water sports, and reimagining the old theme park buildings, creating a flexible public entertainment area that offers all sorts of attractions for a variety of different people. The first phase of construction, which began in October 2025, focused on restoring the park gatehouses, renovating the main pier out into the lake, installing a kayak launch, and creating an area of open grassland for picnics. This phase also began work on repurposing the old SeaWorld aquarium and turning it into an open-air pavilion.

Ann Womer Benjamin, mayor of Aurora, announced at the groundbreaking ceremony (via News 5 Cleveland), "We expect to have a beautiful grassy area right along the lake for picnics, fun, frisbees, and general enjoyment, and that's about 15 acres of development of this former park land." The future phases of work include a lakeside beach, several hiking trails (including the old Norfolk Southern Railroad line), a play area, and the redevelopment of the old wave pool into a human-made water feature. 

The project is scheduled to take several years to complete, and has already cost around $4.5 million, but the city considers it a great investment. The abandoned property has fallen into disrepair since it closed and suffers significantly from vandalism and trespassing. At the official groundbreaking, Aurora Councilman George Horvat said, "I hope my kids and everyone else's kids and grandchildren will be able to enjoy this park as I did in the past."

Once complete, Aurora Lake will be a welcome addition to the other attractions in the region, fitting in particularly well with other nature-focused sights. For example, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is an underrated Midwest national park, ideal for hikers and outdoor adventurers, with the charming Brandywine Falls a highlight. In the winter, Brandywine and Boston Mills Ski Resorts offer great downhill skiing and snowboarding opportunities. Wine lovers will enjoy wine tasting at ThornCreek or The Orchid House, while sports fans might want to head to the fairways at Barrington Golf Club.

Further afield, Cleveland is an underrated U.S. city, with a great food scene and some excellent cultural highlights. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it also boasts the excellent Cleveland Museum of Art, the stunning Lake View Cemetery, and a great zoo. Akron is worth a look too, thanks to the historic Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, the glorious Civic Theatre, and the impressive Akron Art Museum.