Citizen asks O.C. Council not to rush to rezone former amusement park site
OCEAN CITY – Andrew Boylan wants Ocean City Council to know that Wonderland Pier is not just another piece of real estate.
The 32-year-old made a personal pitch during the public comment section at the March 27 council meeting, reminding members of the iconic nature of the amusement park. He asked that council not rush to rezone the site at Sixth Street and the Boardwalk that was an amusement park for nearly 60 years before closing last fall.
The property is owned by Eustace Mita, who bought it in early 2021 and leased it back to longtime operator and owner Jay Gillian. Gillian continued running it until closing it permanently in October 2024. Mita has proposed replacing Wonderland with a 252-room luxury hotel and retail complex.
Boylan said he has been an employee at Wonderland for 13 years, but that it has been like a second home to him since he was 2 years old. He believes that the community and visitors would want the amusement park renewed to an earlier version of itself.
He talked about how Wonderland is tied into Ocean City’s culture.
“It’s not just a business; it’s part of growing up here,” he said.
In 2015, he and a few other employees at Wonderland revived the animatronic band, “The Man & Dog Show.” He cited that as evidence of what Wonderland could be again.
“It was in bad shape, barely recognizable, but thanks to my old photos and videos, we brought it back exactly how it used to be. Same movements, same soundtrack. We put videos of it online. These videos have over a million views together,” he said. That interest, coupled with families regularly stopping to ask about that attraction, made him think.
“If just bringing back one piece of the park had that much of an impact, what could we do if we brought back the whole feel of the place?”
Boylan said he and colleague Dan McDermott are focused on reviving the 1990s version of Wonderland.
“Back then, Wonderland wasn’t just a kiddie park. It had balance: thrill rides, family rides and personality. It was the cooler park on the boardwalk,” he said, but added that changed when it started focusing more on children’s rides.
“When people say they miss Wonderland, they’re not just being nostalgic — they’re remembering a version that had energy, variety and heart,” Boylan said. “I’m not pitching a fantasy. I’ve got over 500 photos, hours of footage, layout references and regular contact with former ride operators and maintenance staff. We know the systems. We know the feel.”
He isn’t asking council to buy Wonderland but “to recognize it’s not just a piece of real estate. It’s a cultural landmark — and what replaces it matters to the entire identity of Ocean City. Zoning decisions, height limits, land use — that’s all still in your hands. You can influence what gets built here and whether it reflects Ocean City or replaces it.”
“Please do not rush to rezone Wonderland Pier. I’m willing to work with the city, the owner or any preservation-minded partners to make that happen. I’m not trying to freeze time. I’m trying to bring back what made this town unforgettable.”
Mita has made several public presentations about his hotel project, which he calls Icona at Wonderland — he owns multiple hotels through Icona Resorts — but has not made formal application for the project to City Council or the planning and zoning boards.
His proposal has been met with some support and stiff opposition in the community.
When Mita purchased the financially troubled property, banks were foreclosing on some $8 million in loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gillian has said Ocean City could no longer support two amusement parks.
Playland’s Castaway Cove, a large amusement park, continues to provide a wide range of rides and attractions at 10th Street and Boardwalk.
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
