The Miracle Strip Amusement Park, a fixture for 41 years in this Florida Panhandle resort city, will close on Labor Day to make way for new development. Owner Billy Lark has sold the park and surrounding land to developers, general manager Buddy Wilkes said. "It's a sad day," Wilkes said Tuesday, standing beneath dark clouds and shuddering in unseasonably cold weather. "It's kind of appropriate that it's so gloomy." (...) Wilkes said a shopping center and condominiums are among the possibilities. (...) "There are eight married couples here who met at the park," Wilkes said. "I'll bet there are lots who had their first date here, too." Plans also could include a silent auction or sale of memorabilia. Several companies have expressed interest in buying rides and other equipment, Wilkes said. The park could be rebuilt on another site in Panama City Beach, but not under Lark family ownership, Wilkes said.
I have a lot of fond memories of the park, especially the "Abominable Snowman" ride and the Broadway-type shows on stage, which were much better than most people gave them credit for. I will try to visit the park at least twice before it closes.
