New Roller Coaster Planned For Ocean City Boardwalk

OCEAN CITY, NJ — It's been two years since a fire damaged part of Playland's Castaway Cove. And now, the iconic pirate ship that sits atop the arcade will be coming back, with the addition of a brand-new roller coaster.

First reported by OCNJ Daily, Playland's owner Scott Simpson will go before the Ocean City Zoning Board on April 26 for approval of the planned roller coaster.

Brian Hartley, vice president of Playland, told the outlet that they would rebuild the pirate ship and its parrot, and then add a family-friendly roller coaster.

"The pirate ship is the one thing that everybody keeps asking about," Hartley previously told Patch. "I think they’ve really come to know that as a landmark here on the boardwalk."

Hartley told Patch about the plans to build a roller coaster or other ride at the amusement park in December 2021.

The new construction has to be approved by the Zoning Board because a height variance is necessary to put the ride and control room above the building, according to OCNJ Daily.

Construction has been stalled for several weeks because of the height issue, the outlet reported.

The proposed third story would have a vestibule, stairs, an elevator and roof deck for the roller coaster, according to Zoning Board documents.

No height limits apply to amusement park rides in Ocean City, but they do for buildings, so the Zoning Board will determine what happens with the proposed roller coaster.