By Betty Lin-Fisher
Beacon Journal staff writer
More than 2,000 people have signed an online petition to try to save the now-closed Wildwater Kingdom.
Heather Schneider started a change.org petition five days ago to save the Aurora water park. It officially closed down on Labor Day. Owner Cedar Fair had announced the closure about two weeks prior.
The petition as of Friday morning now has 2,259 signatures. Schneider said she will deliver the petition to Cedar Fair and Aurora Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin.
A message was left with a Cedar Fair official and Womer Benjamin for comment.
“By taking away this park WE lose! When we go there we can tell stories of our childhood, family trips to the park and picnics,” Schneider wrote on the petition.
“It’s our getaway from daily life. Generation after generation has been coming here to this secluded area to enjoy time with family and friends. When I come here the excitement from my childhood visits comes alive. The walk down to the main gate reminds me how exciting it was and still is just being there. As I walk through the park memories flood my mind with each step. Buildings and bricks. I never thought the landscape as a child would be etched into my mind the way it is. I love it here. This is my favorite place in the world. It has my heart.”
Patrons visiting the water park on the last day said they had a mixture of sadness and anger at the closing of the park.
It was once part of what was billed as the biggest amusement park in the world when Six Flags opened Worlds of Adventure, merging the former Sea World property with Geauga Lake to create a single park. Cedar Fair closed Geauga Lake in 2007.
To see the petition, go to www.change.org and search for “Wild Water Kingdom,” two words for WildWater) or www.change.org/p/cedar-fair-entertainment-company-save-geauga-lake-s-wild-water-kingdom-family-park">go here online. Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @blinfisherABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/BettyLinFisherABJ and see all her stories at www.ohio.com/betty