By Julia Train
The closure of Wonderland Pier has left a significant void in Ocean City’s tourism landscape. While the future of the Wonderland property remains uncertain, with discussions ongoing about a potential luxury hotel development, the city is determined to capitalize on the opportunity presented by the Sixth Street beach.
Ocean City officials are considering a significant transformation for the underutilized Sixth Street beach. The beach primarily serves as a volleyball court during the summer months, but local leaders envision a much grander future that would attract visitors of all ages.
Councilman Keith Hartzell proposed transforming the beach into a massive oceanfront playground, potentially the largest of its kind.
“The largest one right now, I think, in the world is 55,000 square feet. That’s actually not that big, folks. I think we can do something tremendous there that will be known not only in the Delaware Valley but maybe worldwide, if we do something really great,” Hartzell said during a Dec. 5 council meeting.
In response, Mayor Jay Gillian said that his administration is working on plans to put “something” permanent or temporary at the Sixth Street beach as a summer attraction.
Gillian expressed support for the concept, but cautioned that the city must consider the challenges posed by beach erosion.
“We’ve got to be careful about developing that area between Fifth and Sixth streets because of the beach erosion,” he said. “It would have to be higher.”
Hartzel emphasized that a new family-friendly tourist attraction will be needed at the Sixth Street beach now that Wonderland Pier closed its doors.
Councilman Jody Levchuk shares Hartzell’s enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing the need for a bold vision to attract visitors.
While longer-term plans for the Wonderland property are being discussed, Hartzell and other city officials are eager to expedite the transformation of the Sixth Street beach into a popular tourist destination.
Hartzell and other city officials are expressing a sense of urgency with the transformation.
“I think we have to have something by the summer,” Hartzell said. “The reason why I say that is because … I’ve listened many, many years to people that say, ‘Once you lose a customer, you lose them. There’s no chance of getting them back.’ Regardless of the circumstances we’re under right now, we can’t afford to lose customers.”
Councilman Jody Levchuk supports Hartzell’s vision for a large oceanfront playground and believes that a significant renovation of the beach is feasible by next summer. Levchuk suggests that the beach could be repurposed to offer more than just volleyball.
“This is prime property. I’ll never argue with an anchor at that end of the Boardwalk that’s going to be desperately needed,” Levchuk said.
The Sixth Street beach has been used for a variety of special events, like exercise classes, an annual sand sculpting contest and the “Miss Crustacean” beauty pageant for hermit crabs.
Hartzell and Levchuk also emphasized the importance of collaboration between City Council, Gillian’s administration and the public in revitalizing the Sixth Street beach.
In the property’s place, the city is considering developer Eustace Mita’s plan to build a 250-room luxury hotel.
Mita’s proposal, however, has sparked controversy among preservationists who oppose the hotel development. They advocate for the construction of a modern amusement park in the style of the original Wonderland Pier and object to Mita’s request for a zoning change that would enable hotel development on the Boardwalk.
Julia is a recent Rider University graduate, where she studied multiplatform journalism and social media strategies. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, trying new coffee shops, photography and the beach. She can be reached at juliatrainmedia@gmail.com or connect with her on Instagram @juliatrain
