Andrew
03-15-2004, 11:46 PM
Cypress Gardens: New owner promises rejuvenation (http://www.cnn.com/2004/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/03/15/cypress.gardens.ap/index.html) -- CNN.com, 03/15/04
The new owner of Cypress Gardens, one of Florida's oldest tourist attractions, is promising to rejuvenate the park of botanical gardens and water ski shows with new thrill rides and a water park to appeal to younger visitors.
In late February, Kent Buescher, owner of Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Ga., closed on the 68-year-old property in a complex real estate arrangement involving a nonprofit conservation group and state and local lawmakers. Government officials came up with funding for part of the deal in response to a grassroots save-the-park movement involving thousands of letters, e-mails and visits to Tallahassee by Cypress Garden's trademark "Southern belles."
The new owner of Cypress Gardens, one of Florida's oldest tourist attractions, is promising to rejuvenate the park of botanical gardens and water ski shows with new thrill rides and a water park to appeal to younger visitors.
In late February, Kent Buescher, owner of Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Ga., closed on the 68-year-old property in a complex real estate arrangement involving a nonprofit conservation group and state and local lawmakers. Government officials came up with funding for part of the deal in response to a grassroots save-the-park movement involving thousands of letters, e-mails and visits to Tallahassee by Cypress Garden's trademark "Southern belles."