Island Water Sports Aqua Park in Stone Harbor.
MARGATE – The city recently met with the owners of a proposed aqua park on Amherst Avenue, Zoning Officer Roger McLarnon advised the Board of Commissioners at its Oct. 4 work session.
MaLarnon said he and Administrator Richard Deaney met with the owners of several riparian lots in the Waterfront Special District, who are likely to file for a site plan review by the Planning Board to build a floating water park.
“We went over the zoning which is limited from the city’s perspective because it’s all over the water,” he said.
The proposed project is considered a “water-dependent use,” which is allowed in the WSD Zone, McLarnon said.
The property owners also own Island Water Sports in Stone Harbor. McLarnon said they already own two riparian parcels and were making settlement on two additional lots.
Deaney said it was an “informal” meeting to review the city’s requirements for development in the area, but no formal plans were reviewed, he said.
“They still have to go to the DEP and Planning Board,” Deaney said.
The intended operation is seasonal, open during July and August and perhaps some parts of June and would be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park consists of blow-up rafts with slides simulating a playground on the water, Deaney said.
The Stone Harbor park charges $35 for 45 minutes of playtime on floating inflatables, including climbing walls, launch pads and slides.
The park would be accessed from dock areas, but would not include any motorized sports, he said.
“They have not yet made an application,” Deaney said. “This is the first meeting we have had.”
The 20,550-square-foot site, which is located at the foot of Jefferson Avenue between Stacey’s Surf and Paddle and the Barbary Coast project being developed by builder Jim Leeds, currently has an unused marina with slips that will be removed and the area protected with a breakwater, McLarnon said.
The idea of a water park was proposed about two years ago, but nothing ever came of it, officials said previously.
In August, water park partner Maggie Day said the project was “proposed” but no applications had been filed with the city.
At that time, several residents said they believed the park was a “done deal” agreed to behind closed doors.
“We are preparing an application for the DEP, but we have not filed for permits yet,” she said after an Aug. 16 6ABC news segment announcing Island Water Sports would open a 50,000-square-foot water park by next summer on the bay along Amherst Avenue. She called the announcement “premature.”
Phone calls to Day requesting comment for this story were not returned.
“Once they make application it will be publicized and advertised as required,” McLarnon said.
