Indiana Beach amusement park closes, residents look ahead

MONTICELLO, Ind. (AP) - Officials are hoping to find a new buyer after the popular Indiana Beach amusement park that had operated for nearly a century recently closed with little notice.

Apex Parks Group, the California-based company that owns the amusement park, said they were closing Indiana Beach and three other amusement parks it owns across the country because of financial reasons, Journal & Courier reported.

Monticello Mayor Cathy Gross said the park's sudden closure was a devastating and difficult blow since Indiana Beach was a generational experience for many.

'œIndiana Beach has been an integral part of the fabric of our community for a very long time,'ť she said. 'œBut I'm a glass-half-full person, and I believe we need to take these challenges and make opportunities out of them.'ť

She later said that local officials would assist the company with find a buyer.

Local business owners around the Indiana Beach area said while the loss of the amusement park would be difficult for businesses in the short term, there was still a lot in the White County and Monticello area that is attractive to visitors and tourists.

Mike Sims and Ryan Clemons, co-owners of Outrigger Resort and real estate agents, said Indiana Beach's closure could be a great opportunity for house or condo development on high-demand land.

"This is a huge hit for tourism," Clemons said, "but a huge positive for real estate."

Still, area residents were saddened by the closure.

Some of the year-round residents living nearby said they enjoyed having a views of the rides and having the park as a backyard.

Cherri and Lance Anderson, who are retired, live close to the park.

'œI'm going to miss the Ferris wheel, because it was like a light show for us,'ť said Cherri Anderson.