By Sarah Fertsch
The music may have stopped at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, but efforts to save its century-old carousel are gaining momentum.
After previously raising concerns about the cost of restoring the historic attraction, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian announced that the city is exploring preservation options, offering renewed hope to residents determined to keep the carousel in Ocean City.
During the Nov. 5 City Council meeting, Gillian said his administration was researching grant opportunities, consulting preservation experts and seeking cost estimates to determine whether the carousel could be restored and returned to public use.
For Donna Saber, an Ocean City resident and co-founder of the Save OC Carousel movement, the announcement was welcome news.
“I think we always knew that he would be there for the carousel,” Saber said of Gillian. “It was just a matter of time.”
Gillian’s family operated Wonderland Pier for nearly six decades, and the mayor has spoken about his personal connection to the historic ride.
At the Oct. 22 City Council meeting, Gillian outlined the extensive mechanical and structural work restoration would require, raising concerns about potentially significant expenses. But at the Nov. 5 meeting, his remarks reflected a willingness to explore possible solutions.
“I think we can all agree that the most important thing is to save the carousel, no matter where it lands,” Gillian said.
The mayor said the city would investigate potential funding through the New Jersey Historic Trust and the state’s Green Acres program. Officials have also contacted the National Carousel Association and sought guidance from amusement ride specialists to better understand the carousel’s condition and restoration requirements.
The city is examining preservation projects in other communities, including Seaside Heights, where a historic carousel was restored and reopened to the public.
For Saber, the city’s involvement represents an encouraging development.
“I would prefer that it be handled directly by the city rather than outside groups,” she said.
Previously, preservation advocates had explored alternatives, including privately storing the carousel while searching for a permanent home. Saber expressed concerns about placing such an important piece of Ocean City history under private stewardship without a long-term plan.
Now, she hopes the city’s involvement will provide the resources and expertise needed to move the effort forward.
Built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Co. in 1926, the carousel marks its 100th anniversary this year. Its hand-carved wooden horses and brass-ring tradition became cherished parts of the Ocean City Boardwalk experience for generations of families.
The carousel has remained idle since Wonderland Pier closed in October 2024.
Its future is complicated by ownership of the former amusement park property. Developer Eustace Mita, who purchased the site in 2021, has proposed replacing the amusement park with a luxury resort hotel.
Although Ocean City officials can explore preservation opportunities, Mita owns the carousel, meaning any restoration plan would require his cooperation.
Saber hopes an agreement could allow the carousel to remain at its original location, potentially becoming part of the proposed hotel development.
She envisions visitors stepping off the Boardwalk and discovering a beloved piece of Ocean City history inside a new resort.
Saber said some residents have even expressed greater interest in staying at the proposed hotel if the carousel were preserved on the property.
While keeping the attraction at its longtime location would be ideal, she believes the financial responsibility should be shared.
“We don’t want Mr. Mita to have to do this on his own,” Saber said. “We want to get this done because we want it.”
Community fundraising, private donations and preservation grants could help finance the project, although no formal funding agreement has been announced.
The potential expense remains a major obstacle.
At the Nov. 5 meeting, Councilman Keith Hartzell referenced a carousel preservation project in Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts, that he said cost approximately $7.5 million, including land acquisition, restoration and construction of a new building.
The example illustrates both the possibilities and financial challenges facing Ocean City.
For now, the city has not announced a restoration budget, secured a permanent location or reached a preservation agreement with Mita. Experts must first evaluate the carousel’s condition before officials can determine the scope and cost of the project.
Saber hopes discussions between the city and the developer will begin soon. She also wants Mita to know that preservation advocates are willing to work with him.
“We want Mr. Mita to know that he has our backing,” Saber said.
For now, the carousel remains silent inside the former Wonderland Pier. But the city’s willingness to explore preservation has given supporters a renewed sense of possibility.
Saving the historic attraction is far from guaranteed. Significant questions remain about funding, ownership and where the carousel could eventually operate.
Still, the prospect of cooperation among city officials, the property owner and residents offers something preservation advocates have been seeking: a potential path toward bringing a treasured Ocean City tradition back to life.
