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Iconic Jersey Shore Amusement Park Closes After 95 Years

Gillian's Wonderland Pier in Ocean City shuts down due to financial struggles exacerbated by the pandemic and Superstorm Sandy.

  • Gillian's Wonderland Pier, a staple of Ocean City, NJ, for nearly a century, closed permanently on Sunday.
  • The park, known for its family-friendly attractions, faced insurmountable financial challenges, including debt and increased payroll costs.
  • Efforts by local groups to save the park have raised over $1 million, but the future of the site remains uncertain.
  • Current property owner Icona Resorts has until the end of the year to propose a new use for the site, with previous plans for a hotel rejected.
  • The closure marks the end of an era for many families who cherished the park as a key part of their summer traditions.
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