Walking past the empty Wonderland Pier shows it is time for Ocean City to move forward

After the Philadelphia Eagles game on Sunday, I decided to take a walk on the Ocean City boardwalk.

It was the first time I was up on the boardwalk all season.  I wasn't up there one time this summer, so I can't speak to the crowds up on the boardwalk.

I parked my car by the high school on 6th Street and started walking past the former Wonderland Pier.

It was eerie.

An empty, vacant amusement park greeted me as I came to the end of the street and began to enter the boardwalk.   The park was empty, as were the pizza shop and arcade that were open at what was once a spot filled with families.

The Fate of the Iconic Ferris Wheel

On Monday night, it was reported that the iconic Ferris wheel that occupies the Ocean City skyline will have to be demolished. As I walked past the park, I wondered why it was even still standing, along with the log flume that is still standing in the back of the park along Wayne Avenue.

Property owner Eustace Mita proposed a new luxury hotel plan, which included keeping the Ferris Wheel; however, it appears that even if that hotel comes to fruition, the Ferris Wheel will not be a part of it.

"Right now, we have a decrepit and decaying site, and we have to do something," Mita told 6ABC. "Time is not on our side. We have to do something to generate something great for Ocean City. And not only Ocean City, but all of Cape May County."

Mita has asked that the site be looked at as a site in need of rehabilitation. After walking the boardwalk on Sunday night, I'd agree that something needs to be done.

It was sad to see, and the longer that building and park sit vacant, the sadder it will become.

A Tale of Two Boardwalks

There were plenty of people on the boardwalk down the south end, but the north end was desolate.

Desolation on the North End

The pizza shop was filled with slices, but not one person was inside to eat them, and only one worker was there to serve them. The arcade had tons of games and plenty of lights and noise, but it didn't draw anyone inside; maybe it was because no one was walking down there.

This picture was taken at 4:30 on a Sunday after the Eagles game.

The former Wonderland Pier site sits empty.

Bustle and Business Further South

While this might have been different during the hustle and bustle of the summer, it was sad to see the north end shops still open, with shoppers inside and plenty of people walking around, at least window shopping.

From about Ninth Street to 14th Street, people were walking, popping into stores, grabbing a slice of pizza or a boardwalk treat.

What Should Replace Wonderland Pier?

Time always wins.  In this instance, I think it's time for the people of Ocean City to let their guard down and allow something new to occupy the land that sits sadly and lonely right now.

Is a new luxury hotel the right thing to do?  I'm not sure.  However, I much rather see that structure as I walk down Sixth Street than a broken-down old amusement park. As to what should replace Wonderland, I don't have that answer, but just letting an old amusement park sit and decay certainly isn't the answer.

What do the people of Ocean City want to see this place become?

The dream of Wonderland relaunching seems to be a fairy tale at best.  So why not allow the property to be reborn, and get some people down that end of the boardwalk to admire the new structure, not feel sad about the old one.

Do you have an idea for the property?  Let us know in the comment section on social media.