Ocean City preservationists want Wonderland Pier saved

The historic but financially troubled Gillian’s Wonderland Pier is supposed to close for good after the summer season, but preservationists want the iconic Ferris wheel and perhaps the entire Boardwalk amusement park to survive.

They also believe that Wonderland is so critical to the local economy and tourism that Ocean City’s government should give the public a say in deciding some or all aspects of the property’s future.

Appearing at a City Council meeting Thursday, two preservationists urged the governing body to carefully consider options for Wonderland’s fate through a transparent process involving public input each step of the way.

One of them, Bill Merritt, a founder of a newly formed preservation group called Friends of OCNJ History & Culture, asserted that no demolition should be allowed at Wonderland while Council deliberates the future of the sprawling property at Sixth Street and the Boardwalk.

“An important part of keeping options open is to not permit any demolition during this deliberative phase, as that may take otherwise viable options off the table,” Merritt said while addressing the Council members.

Merritt also said that residents are “largely in the dark right now” about Wonderland’s scheduled closing, which could breed mistrust if the city does not include the public to help decide the park’s fate.

“Additionally, and we believe importantly, City Council should put some or all aspects of this decision up for public vote,” Merritt said of the feelings of his group, Friends of OCNJ History & Culture. “This decision will have a huge impact on the citizens who live here, have businesses here, and invested here. Give them the opportunity to play a major role in charting this course.”

Bill Merritt, of the preservation group Friends of OCNJ History & Culture, addresses City Council in August about Wonderland's future.

Donna Saber, an advocate for preserving Wonderland’s attractions, said the park’s future “has the potential to seriously change the course of our economy.”

“We cannot allow this symbol of Ocean City to die without fully studying the impact that demise may have on our tourism,” said Saber, who owns a downtown business on Asbury Avenue called Serenity Wellness.

“As a city, I believe it is vital that we take into consideration the ramifications to our economy. What will happen to us if we do nothing about this tragic situation?” she continued.

Saber researched the historic property deeds for the Wonderland Pier site. She presented copies of the deeds to Council President Pete Madden while making her remarks in favor of saving Wonderland.

Saber suggested that the city or a nonprofit entity should purchase the Wonderland property back for the same price that was paid to save it from a sheriff’s auction in 2021. Then, it should be leased to another amusement park operator, she said.

Echoing Merritt’s sentiments, Saber believes that no demolition permits should be issued for the property while an economic study of Wonderland would be conducted. She also wants Wonderland maintained under strict oversight to protect it.

In an interview after the Council meeting, Saber said that Wonderland’s 140-foot-tall Ferris wheel should be preserved no matter what may ultimately happen to the rest of the amusement park.

“Of course,” she replied when asked whether the Ferris wheel should remain in Ocean City.

    Donna Saber, who wants Wonderland Pier saved, hands copies of the historic deeds for the property to City Council President Pete Madden.
  

Merritt expressed hope that perhaps the city could designate Wonderland as a historic site, possibly opening the door for state and federal grants to keep it open under a different operator.

“People need to be creative. People should not be constricted by a predetermined result,” he said in an interview.

He also stressed that he wants to see the Ferris wheel survive.

“It’s so iconic. It’s what you see on the Boardwalk,” Merritt said of the soaring landmark.

Wonderland Pier was founded by Roy Gillian in 1965 at Sixth Street and the Boardwalk. Roy Gillian followed his father, David Gillian, in the family’s Ocean City amusement park business.

Roy Gillian died at 94 on Aug. 17. During his memorial service Wednesday, he was eulogized as a visionary who helped define Ocean City’s reputation as a family-friendly vacation resort through his ownership of Wonderland Pier.

However, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian, the third generation of Gillians to operate the family amusement business, announced on Aug. 9 that Wonderland Pier will close for good after the summer season because it is “no longer a viable business.”

Gillian normally attends the Council meetings, but was absent Thursday following his father’s funeral Wednesday.

    Wonderland's sprawling decorative facade overlooks the Boardwalk at Sixth Street.
  

Wonderland Pier struggled in recent years with financial difficulties and was bought by Icona luxury resort developer Eustace Mita in 2021 after the property was going to be put up for sheriff’s auction because Jay Gillian defaulted on $8 million in mortgage debt. Mita has not yet announced his plans for Wonderland after it closes.

In 2023, Mita unveiled plans to transform the Wonderland site into a $150 million luxury hotel featuring 325 rooms. However, Mita’s plans faced strong headwinds and fizzled out. Mayor Gillian was one of the city leaders who publicly did not support the development of a hotel on the Boardwalk.

City Council would have to agree to a zoning change to create a new hotel district encompassing that section of the Boardwalk. Currently, the city’s zoning laws prohibit hotel development on the Boardwalk.

Second Ward Councilman Keith Hartzell, whose ward includes Wonderland, released a statement saying he plans to seek public input on the property’s future and wants to avoid “a rush to judgment.”

“It is critical that the community take its time to evaluate what the next best use of the property would be,” Hartzell said. “While there has been much talk about a large hotel resort, it is important that all viable options are fully explored before a decision is made on the future use of the site.”

Hartzell opposed changing the zoning laws to allow for Boardwalk hotel development when he unsuccessfully ran against Gillian for mayor in 2022. Hartzell stepped down from Council after losing to Gillian, but returned to the governing body this year after winning the Second Ward seat in the May municipal election.

Hartzell indicated Thursday he is willing to give Mita some time to figure out what he would like to do with the Wonderland property.

“It’s the beginning of the process. There’s all these directions that we can go in. If Mr. Mita wants to wait six months, we’ll wait six months,” Hartzell said in an interview after the Council meeting.

    One of Wonderland's rides sits idle before the amusement park opens for business Thursday.