Cypress Gardens will shutter the gate at the close of business today (Wednesday, September 23, 2009). That’s 73 years after a young, energetic entrepreneur named Dick Pope and his wife, Julie, opened their beloved gardens on January 2, 1936. Eventually Cypress Gardens was the #1 roadside attraction in Florida until Disney opened in 1971. (Pictured at left Mr. and Mrs. Pope with son Dick Jr. and daughter Adrienne. circa 1936)
Current owners Brian Philpot and Rob Harper of Land South have owned the park for the past two years. What is apparent is that as it is currently configured, the park is not viable. For that reason the owners have decided to close the park while negotiations continue with several potential buyers.
It’s a sad day for Florida history and even sadder for the many people who hold special memories of working, skiing and playing at America’s Tropical Wonderland. More than 50 million people visited the Gardens throughout its existence. Today’s announcement follows a six year roller coaster ride for the park after closing in April 2003 and being rescued by the State of Florida, Kent Buescher and Polk County in 2004 only to be pounded by triple hurricanes the same year. The park enjoyed a brief renaissance opening in December 2004 but never fully overcame the devastation and costs associated with hurricanes Charley, Jeanne and Frances.
It is difficult to predict what the next chapter may hold for the venerable site. The state purchased development rights off of 120 acres which includes most of the land surrounding the original Botanical Gardens and ski show area. The citizens of Polk County own the original 30 acres of the park including all of the lake frontage on both Lake Summit and Lake Eloise.
Statement from Land South:
From the earliest moment that our firm purchased Cypress Gardens and Splash Island Waterpark, our highest priority has always been to maintain the park’s beauty and protect its proud traditions as a mainstay of the State’s history and natural treasures. It is with these ideals in mind that we must announce that the park will be closed for business as of Wednesday, September 23, 2009.
During the last two years, Land South Adventures, LLC, has explored numerous management frameworks and exhausted every possible approach to keep the park running in its traditional form. Now, we are in the process of negotiating with several potential purchasers and lessees for all or part of the property, and do not feel it is fair to our employees, the guests, or the public to continue operations heading into the fall with the future of the property in flux. We are optimistic that the outcome will be in the best interests of both the park and the residents of Polk County and the State of Florida.
What a sad day for Winter Haven and for all of us who have great memories of Cypress Gardens. I sincerely hope that some portion of the park can be maintained for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.
Bay News Nine is reporting that the park may be purchased by Legoland. Legos would be better than condos…
I too, am saddened (but not surprised) at the closing of Cypress Gardens. I sincerely hope the original gardens are kept intact and will be open to the public. I will always harbor great memories of the ski shows, swimming with the White Dolphins in the old Olympic pool and the Florida pool, posing for WHHS Band photos by Lake Summit and MANY walks under the Banyan Tree.
So goes this wonderful park the way of Masterpeace Gardens, Rainbow Springs, Six Gun Territory, Xanadu…
It is an extremely sad day. Can anyone find Dick Pope, Sr’s Gardens Management & Operations Manual?
If Silver Springs and Weeki Wachee can make it,then so can Cypress Gardens. Get the right people as buyers / managers and it will fly.
My children and I love Cypress Gardens. We loved the rides, especially the 5 roller coasters and the Disco and Power Surge. I pulled the kids out of school to ride the final Friday and came back on the very last Sunday of rides. The water park was so clean and inviting, it was the first water park I had been to. This summer we came 5 times from St Petersburg and brought our friends from Pennsacola twice. We always started and ended with the lazy river, did the wave pool, Polynesian village, Tonga tubes, and Voodoo plunge and always enjoyed lunch and dinner at the tiki hut. We bought the most comfortable flip-flops and pillow puppies and candy at the gift shops. We had an annual pass. Just yesterday I found photos of when I had taken my mother to Cypress Gardens in the 1980′s. The Banyan tree, Florida pond, all the plants and the topiaries and waterfall were awesome, my kids liked the gardens and we have great photos. The ski show was fun, and the old pirate show had hysterically funny jokes. We saw Lynard Skynard there and all sang Sweet Home Alabama together. As you can tell, we really, really liked Cypress Gardens. My sons and I feel very sad because it was a family place that we loved in a sentimental way. The people working there were friendly and courteous, and we wish them all well.
As a former Mermaid at Weeki, I am saddened to learn of Cypress Gardens Closing. I have spent many hours there conversing with the skiers and swapping our ‘water’ stories. Time marches on and sometimes all we can take with us are our memories–the best times of our lives.
Whoever ends up with this property should consider a pull up in your boat dining experience on the water. One area for menu service to your boat and a different area for sit in casual dining. I think it would be well attended by all of us local boat owners.
Cypress Gardens is a great family local destination and we know it can survive with the right management. Kent had the right idea but unfortunately was over leveraged after the insurance company didn’t pay as they should have. Hopefully, someone with amusement experience and someone that will bring back the local management that actually wanted the Park to survive that worked for Kent. Most of them were truely vested in making the Park succeed. Lets keep our fingers crossed.
I see that there is a volley ball game center going in front of Admirals Inn. It would be better located at the shore of lake Eloise. As a matter of fact it would be cool to have a city walk at the gardens with a few shops and bars and restaruants and at the end of the night there could be a sunset party like at mallory dock in key west. There are alot of people that think this way as well.
thanks
joey