An offer from the owner of a Georgia amusement park may be the only viable solution to saving venerable Cypress Gardens, which abruptly closed in April, 2003. But it may require the savior to graft modern roller coasters and thrill rides onto the Winter Haven, Florida attraction. Cypress Gardens was a cornerstone of the Golden Age of Florida tourism, with its elaborate water ski shows and unique swamp gardens.

Kent Buescher's profitable Valdosta, Georgia Wild Adventures park is an indication of his prowess at keeping an attraction in the black, but also indicates what one must add to today's theme parks to draw the big crowds. Kent and the Trust for Public Land -- which has acquired an option on the park's core acreage -- hope it will see as many as a million visitors a year.

[12/20/2003]