Dear Editor,
The closure of Wonderland this summer hit Ocean City like a body blow. For decades, it stood as a cherished, family-friendly centerpiece of the Boardwalk. Its abrupt shutdown shocked residents and visitors alike, leaving us stunned.
Then came the left hook: Wonderland wouldn’t return. Instead, the landowner proposed an eight-story, 257-room mega-resort that would tower over its surroundings and blatantly violate zoning laws that reserve the area for amusements. The attempted knockout punch followed quickly: To fast-track the resort, the developer suggested declaring Wonderland “blighted.” That’s right—our beloved amusement pier, which brought joy to generations, was to be labeled a public nuisance, akin to an abandoned row of inner-city crack houses.
Ocean City doesn’t usually thrive on conflict—we’re here to escape it. But this proposal ignited outrage. Town halls grew heated, social media caught fire, and a bitter divide emerged. Opponents of the resort were dismissed as backward locals clinging to nostalgia. Resort advocates were accused of exploiting the town for profit. Meanwhile, City Council found itself portrayed as either complicit, clueless, or completely overwhelmed.
Yet, amidst the rancor, something new has emerged. Residents and business owners alike are waking up to hard truths. Ocean City’s cracks as a top-tier vacation spot are showing. Visitor numbers are down, store closures are up, and our middle class is fleeing as costs soar. The challenges that pushed Wonderland’s owner into financial trouble—ballooning wages, rising insurance costs, aging infrastructure—are part of a larger story: Our city isn’t in deep trouble yet, but we’re heading there.
Here’s the silver lining: Wonderland’s demise has forced us to confront these realities. The first step to solving a problem is admitting you have one, and Ocean City has begun to do just that. Now, it’s time for City Council to lead.
But leadership doesn’t start with forcing through a redevelopment plan that hinges on branding Wonderland as “blighted”—a legally shaky move certain to draw lawsuits. Instead, the city should focus on a comprehensive overhaul of its master plan.
Ocean City hasn’t had a full-scale master plan revision in decades, despite major changes to the town. Now is the moment. A new master plan can provide a thoughtful, data-driven vision for the city’s future, addressing the Boardwalk zoning issue alongside critical matters like residential density, historic preservation, parking, environmental challenges, and economic resilience.
This is our chance to set the stage for Ocean City’s next century. Wonderland may be gone, but its loss has illuminated what’s at stake. City Council, the ball is in your court. Let’s seize this moment—not just for nostalgia’s sake, but to ensure a brighter future.
Bill Merritt
President & Founder
Friends of OCNJ History & Culture
