WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- The state took its first step toward a possible purchase of Cypress Gardens on Wednesday.

Bob Ballard, deputy secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, toured the 200-acre lakefront theme park and met with Bill Reynolds, one of seven employees who bought the park in 1995 from Busch Entertainment Corp.

"What a grand park this is," Ballard said at an afternoon news conference. "It's truly not only a Florida landmark but a national landmark, an international landmark."

Ballard, who made the trip at Gov. Jeb Bush's request, said he hoped to discuss financial details with the owners before returning to Tallahassee. He said he hopes a proposal could be taken to the state Cabinet for consideration by August.

"The numbers need to be right, but we are creative," he said in a story for Thursday editions of The Tampa Tribune.

Neither Ballard nor Reynolds would speculate on a price for the 67-year-old park, which closed Sunday because of dwindling attendance.

Also Wednesday, more than 200 of some 500 employees laid off when the park closed attended a job fair at the park. Busch Gardens, Sea World and Disney were among employers with tables at the fair.

Bush suggested the state consider buying Cypress Gardens following an outcry of support from the Winter Haven area. The money for any purchase would come from Florida Forever, the $3 billion program that helps preserve environmentally sensitive land and important cultural and historical properties.

The state has made similar buys of theme parks, including Silver Springs near Ocala and Weeki Wachee Springs in Hernando County. Both were leased to the original owners to operate, Ballard said.

The state also purchased Homosassa Springs Nature World near Inverness and made it a state wildlife park, he said.

Reynolds said Cypress Gardens' owners are committed to working with the state. He said reaching a deal with the state would be the owners' first choice but added, "To say we would not look at other opportunities is something I can't say."

Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Gernert, who led efforts for state intervention, said the goal is to preserve the original 37-acre core of the park that includes the botanical gardens.

"I think for all of this to come about in six days is pretty outstanding," he said.