A public meeting has been scheduled for Saturday, September 14th, to discuss the future of Gillian's Wonderland Pier, a historic amusement park in Ocean City. The meeting, which will be held at the Tabernacle Baptist Church at 10 a.m., will allow residents of Ocean City's Second Ward to discuss quality of life issues from Fourth to Twelfth Street, including the future of the amusement park.
Gillian's Wonderland Pier, a beloved landmark of the Jersey Shore for almost a century, announced earlier this year that it would be closing permanently after the 2024 season. The park's owner, Jay Gillian, cited financial struggles as the reason for the closure. Despite a financial rescue by Eustace Mita of Icona Resorts in 2021, the park has continued to struggle financially. Gillian, who has been running the business for 47 years, announced last month that he would be retiring and closing the park.
The property is currently owned by Mita, whose company, Icona Resorts, owns upscale hotels in Avalon, Cape May, and Diamond Beach. Mita has asked for six months to evaluate the current situation at Wonderland and is expected to present his plans in the coming months. He will not be present at the public meeting.
Many residents are concerned about what will replace the amusement park. Some fear that the property could be turned into condos or a hotel, while others hope that whatever replaces it will also be a place for families and kids.
The meeting will be hosted by Second Ward Councilman Keith Hartzell, who invites the public to an open discussion of issues that affect the Second Ward and all of Ocean City. For those who cannot attend in person, the meeting will also be available via a Zoom call and a Facebook livestream.