New Hope for Wonderland Pier Carousel as Ocean City Mayor Explores Preservation Plan

Mayor Jay Gillian reverses course on the century-old attraction, seeking restoration estimates, expert evaluations and potential state grants as redevelopment negotiations continue.

OCEAN CITY, N.J. — The historic carousel that entertained generations of families at Gillian's Wonderland Pier may have a future in Ocean City after all.

Mayor Jay Gillian announced Thursday, November 5, that his administration has begun exploring ways to preserve the century-old merry-go-round, a significant shift from his earlier concerns that restoring the attraction would be too expensive for taxpayers.

The announcement comes as Ocean City continues negotiations with developer Eustace Mita over the redevelopment of the former Wonderland Pier property at Sixth Street and the Boardwalk.

Gillian, whose family operated Wonderland for generations, said the city is investigating possible grants, consulting carousel experts and gathering cost estimates before deciding whether municipal involvement would be financially responsible.

“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 emphasized that the city has not committed to purchasing or restoring the attraction. Instead, officials are taking preliminary steps to determine whether preservation is feasible.

“To do this, we need to be responsible, so we are getting estimates to see what may be possible,” Gillian said.

A Change in Direction After Earlier Concerns

The announcement represents a notable change from the city's position just two weeks earlier.

During an October 22 City Council meeting, Gillian expressed serious doubts about whether the carousel could be restored and operated again without spending millions of dollars.

The mayor, who has extensive firsthand experience maintaining and operating the ride, described deteriorating mechanical components and the significant work that would be required to meet modern safety standards.

Councilman Tony Polcini also questioned whether it would be appropriate to spend taxpayer money restoring the carousel.

At the time, the possibility of saving the attraction appeared increasingly remote.

But Gillian said memories of the ride prompted him to reconsider whether the city should at least investigate preservation options.

In his November 6 mayoral update, Gillian described returning to his office after discussing the carousel at a recent council meeting.

He noticed a replica of one of the carousel's horses, which reminded him of the years he spent working at Wonderland.

“The memories started coming back … of all the time I've spent running and working on that ride, and, of course, of being the ring boy,” Gillian wrote.

The carousel's brass-ring game was a beloved feature of the attraction, allowing riders to reach for rings as they circled on elaborately carved wooden horses.

Gillian said he initially hesitated to consider city involvement because of the potential expense.

“Because it could cost taxpayers so much, it had seemed selfish to consider having the city be involved in preserving it,” he wrote.

“But I began to think that it's always best to gather the facts first.”

That realization prompted the administration to begin investigating what would actually be required to save the ride.

Experts Will Examine the Historic Carousel

One of the most important developments is the city's decision to seek a professional evaluation.

Gillian said he contacted the president of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, whose predecessor manufactured the carousel in 1926.

The company connected him with a specialist who is expected to visit Ocean City and evaluate the attraction.

“He will be coming to evaluate the ride and give us a report,” Gillian said.

The city also contacted the National Carousel Association, an organization dedicated to preserving historic carousels.

Gillian said officials are reaching out to other municipalities that have successfully restored similar attractions to learn about costs, preservation methods and potential funding sources.

The administration is specifically investigating grant opportunities through the New Jersey Historic Trust and the state's Green Acres program.

No grants have been awarded, and officials have not announced a final restoration estimate.

The expert review is expected to help determine the carousel's mechanical condition, the work needed to preserve it and whether it could eventually operate again.

A 100-Year-Old Piece of Ocean City History

The Wonderland Pier carousel was manufactured in 1926 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Known as PTC No. 75, the attraction has been a fixture at Wonderland Pier since 1972.

Its elaborately carved wooden horses, decorative panels and traditional brass-ring game made it one of the Boardwalk's most recognizable attractions.

For generations, families returned to ride the carousel during summer vacations, creating memories that became closely associated with Ocean City's identity as a family resort.

Wonderland Pier closed permanently in October 2024 after decades of operation.

The carousel has remained out of service since the amusement park closed.

Preservation advocates have argued that the ride represents an important part of Ocean City's cultural and amusement history, particularly because relatively few historic carousels retain their traditional brass-ring games.

A community effort known as Save OC Carousel has been working to build support for preserving the attraction.

Supporters have explored potential fundraising efforts, restoration options and possible locations where the carousel could eventually be displayed or operated.

The mayor's latest announcement provides those advocates with their clearest indication yet that municipal officials are willing to explore a preservation effort.

Developer Eustace Mita Still Owns the Carousel

One major obstacle remains: The carousel belongs to developer Eustace Mita, not the city.

Mita purchased the Wonderland Pier property in 2021 and subsequently allowed Gillian to continue operating the amusement park until its closure in 2024.

The developer has proposed constructing a luxury resort hotel on the property, a project that has generated considerable debate over the future of the Boardwalk.

Gillian said he contacted Mita before moving forward with the city's preliminary preservation research.

“I reached out to Mr. Mita to ask him if that was OK,” the mayor said.

“I want to remind everybody that he owns the ride.”

The city has not announced an agreement to acquire the carousel, and no permanent location has been selected.

The attraction could potentially remain at the former Wonderland property or be relocated elsewhere in Ocean City, depending on the outcome of future discussions.

The mayor has emphasized that saving the carousel itself is the immediate priority, rather than deciding where it would eventually be housed.

Wonderland Redevelopment Negotiations Continue

The carousel discussion is unfolding alongside negotiations over the larger Wonderland Pier redevelopment proposal.

Mita, the owner of ICONA Resorts, previously proposed a 252-room luxury hotel on the Boardwalk property.

The project has faced opposition from residents concerned about the size of the development, its effect on Ocean City's family-oriented character and the loss of traditional amusement attractions.

In June, City Council voted 5-2 to designate the former Wonderland property as an area in need of rehabilitation, creating a framework for further redevelopment negotiations.

That designation did not constitute final approval of the hotel.

City officials have continued discussing potential development parameters with Mita, including the scale and design of any future project.

During Thursday's council meeting, Councilman Dave Winslow indicated that progress was being made toward a development plan.

“We're well on our way on coming up with a plan,” Winslow said.

“I know we're on the right path.”

The fate of Wonderland's other iconic attraction, its 140-foot Ferris wheel, appears less promising.

Mita previously announced that deterioration and safety concerns would require the Ferris wheel to be dismantled.

The carousel, however, is now receiving renewed attention as a potentially salvageable piece of the former amusement park.

Other Shore Towns Offer Examples

Ocean City officials are examining how other communities have preserved historic amusement rides.

One example is Seaside Heights, where the historic Dr. Floyd L. Moreland Carousel was restored and reopened in 2024.

That project involved extensive restoration work, a new building and public funding assistance.

Councilman Keith Hartzell has also pointed to Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts, where a community preservation effort helped save a historic carousel.

According to Hartzell, the Salisbury Beach project cost approximately $7.5 million, including land acquisition, restoration and construction of a building.

He said he plans to visit the community in December to learn more about the project.

The examples illustrate both the possibilities and the financial challenges involved in preserving century-old amusement rides.

Restoring a carousel may require repairs to its mechanical systems, wooden horses, decorative components and electrical equipment.

A permanent building may also be necessary to protect the attraction from Ocean City's coastal weather.

Those costs could extend well beyond the restoration of the ride itself.

Mayor Points to City's Successful Historic Preservation Effort

Gillian said Ocean City has experience with complex historic preservation projects.

He cited the city's successful effort to save its historic Life Saving Station, a 19th-century building that was restored and converted into a public museum.

The project required municipal involvement, outside funding and cooperation among officials and volunteers.

“I want to remind everyone that the city went through this process with the Life Saving Station when I first became mayor,” Gillian said.

He said the city had to gather information, obtain grants and organize the restoration effort.

“Thank God we did. Because this historical treasure will be with us forever.”

The mayor believes the carousel deserves a similarly careful evaluation before officials decide whether public resources should be committed.

He stressed that the administration must balance preserving Ocean City's history with protecting taxpayers.

“Our objective is to do the right thing for our community – by respecting our history, listening to our citizens, and being fiscally responsible,” Gillian said.

What Happens Next?

The next major step will be the professional evaluation of the carousel.

City officials are expected to use that assessment, along with restoration estimates and information about potential grants, to determine whether a preservation proposal is realistic.

Questions remain about ownership, financing, the ride's mechanical condition and where it could eventually be located.

No timetable has been announced for a final decision.

Gillian said he will provide additional information as the city learns more.

“I will give an update as soon as we have more information,” the mayor said.

For residents who grew up riding the carousel, the announcement offers renewed hope that one of Ocean City's most cherished attractions could survive the redevelopment of Wonderland Pier.

The amusement park itself may be gone, but the city is now taking its first formal steps toward determining whether the historic carousel can remain part of Ocean City's future.