WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- A Georgia amusement park operator said he is negotiating with the owners of Cypress Gardens to buy the attraction and reopen it by October.

Kent Buescher, who owns Wild Adventures park in Savannah, Ga., said in a statement Wednesday that he has yet to agree on a price with the owners of Cypress Gardens, which closed April 13 in the face of poor attendance and a weak economy.

"It is our experience at Wild Adventures that there is a definite need for affordable family fun,'' Buescher said in the statement. "If we utilize the world-class ski show and natural beauty of the botanical gardens, plus include family oriented attractions at an affordable price, it will be a welcome addition to the list of Central Florida's entertainment options.''

Buescher plans a Wednesday press conference at the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce to discuss his vision for the park.

Meanwhile, Polk County commissioners have thrown their support behind the state's efforts to buy and preserve the 67-year-old park.

At the direction of Gov. Jeb Bush, the state Department of Environmental Protection will consider adding the purchase of Cypress Gardens to its purchase priority list at a meeting on June 5 and 6.

If approved, the purchase could go before the governor and Cabinet in August. The money would come from Florida Forever, a voter-approved tax on deed recordings used to preserve and restore environmental and cultural resources.

State officials say the move would preserve seven miles of shoreline on Lake Eloise and a botanical garden with more than 8,000 plants from 90 countries. Just how much land the state would buy, or how much that might cost, is up in the air.

Area residents have expressed concern that housing will be developed on the property.

Calls to Cypress Gardens officials were not immediately returned Thursday.