By Julia Train
Soon after Gillian’s Wonderland Pier announced its imminent closure in August, a group of passionate locals rallied together on Facebook to protect its legacy and ensure that whatever replaces it respects the city’s unique zoning laws and maintains its family-focused character.
This movement, known as Save Wonderland, has grown rapidly, gaining supporters from all over the country and even internationally. The page currently has more than 900 followers.
The Save Wonderland movement began in August as a Facebook page, starting as a grassroots initiative. It has since grown into a formal advocacy group working to preserve the historical integrity of the Ocean City Boardwalk and is in the process of becoming a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Helen Struckmann, one of the group’s members, explains that its main goal is to protect and uphold the zoning standards that govern the boardwlk area. These laws have strict guidelines for development, and Save Wonderland wants to ensure the area remains in compliance.
A key tool in their efforts has been a petition to City Council and Mayor Jay Gillian, which has garnered more than 4,000 signatures. The petition opposes changes to zoning laws that could pave the way for a large hotel development at the Wonderland site. Save Wonderland has also teamed up with Friends of OCNJ History & Culture, a local group dedicated to preserving Ocean City’s historic character.
On Nov. 13, plans were announced to erect Icona in Wonderland, a 252-room hotel on the site of the defunct amusement park.
Wonderland’s current owner and developer, Eustace Mita, saved the property from a sheriff’s auction in 2021 and plans to keep the beloved Ferris wheel and carousel.
While supporters argue it would boost the economy, critics, like Bill Merritt, president of Friends of OCNJ History & Culture, say it could negatively impact the family-friendly nature of the Boardwalk.
“The resort that’s being proposed is not for kids; it’s for rich adults,” said Merritt, emphasizing that the space should remain a place for children and families to enjoy, in keeping with Ocean City’s slogan, “America’s Greatest Family Resort.”
Both Save Wonderland and Friends of OCNJ are advocating for a development that respects the historical significance of Wonderland while maintaining its family-friendly atmosphere.
“Something new can go in there, but whatever goes in there needs to achieve that same objective of being a place for kids, being a place that draws people up and down the Boardwalk,” Merritt said.
The most controversial aspect of the proposal is Mita’s push to designate the site as a “redevelopment zone.” This would allow the project to relax zoning laws and historic preservation rules.
Save Wonderland members warn that allowing redevelopment in that area could create a dangerous precedent. They say that if the city permits this redevelopment, it risks lowering the bar for future developers seeking to build developments that aren’t in keeping with the area, such as hotels.
On the other hand, if the city denies the redevelopment, it may face lawsuits from developers, both past and future, claiming discrimination or wrongful denial, leading to costly legal battles for taxpayers, Struckmann said.
“No matter what, it’s a no-win scenario, and this is our opportunity to say we are not willing to do any of that, especially for a project that truly will not add anything at all to the city, and potentially hurt the city quite a bit,” said Struckmann.
Social media has played a key role in spreading the movement’s message, helping Save Wonderland engage supporters and keep the community informed. With continued outreach and public meetings, the group is rallying for a future where Ocean City’s character remains intact.
The next meeting will be hosted Nov. 30 by both Save Wonderland and Friends of OCNJ at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 760 West Ave.
To learn more search for Save Wonderland on Facebook or see friendsofOCNJ.org.
