Hey Floridians, What Happened to Cypress Gardens?

[Chuck S]

Did the State take it over to preserve the gardens? Is it being maintained at all? Rides sold off? What?

Last thing I heard was some time ago, and the state was considering some sort of plan to maintain the historic gardens but not the rides and animals.

[flgirl]

Where have you been. It closed in March. Someone had posted a thread about it, but I just searched for it and it's gone.

Here is the link to the article:
Cypress Gardens to close (http://www.wesh.com/news/2104893/detail.html)

[Harpo]

flgirl, I believe Chuck is hoping for an update. There have been some little news tidbits indicating that the state might take over Cypress Gardens in order to reopen it, but I don't know that anything definite has yet been stated. So, the real question, I believe, is this: Are there any updates on what will happen to Cypress Gardens? Is it gone for good, or is there still hope for a reopening?

[flgirl]

Well, I did a little more searching and came up with this article from the Npales Daily News in June:

Cypress Gardens (http://www.naplesnews.com/03/06/florida/d939837a.htm)

[Chuck S]

Yes, thank you, I was looking for an update. Much hoopla was made over the closing, but not much news since.

I wonder if the state/local gov't could buy it, then let a non-profit historical group operate the park...just as the Alamo and many municipal zoos are operated. I think it should be preserved, but I don't see the harm in adding a small amusement area to attract more people, there was a LOT of open, unused space the last time I was there.

I still wonder what happened to the animals? The had a stock of alligators and deer/sheep/goat type animals. Some rather unique.