Brandon Sanderson, the bestselling fantasy author renowned for his works such as *The Stormlight Archive* and *Mistborn*, has taken a significant step towards repurposing the site of the now-defunct Evermore Park in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Sanderson, along with a group of partners, has purchased the property, which has been empty since its permanent closure in April 2024. This acquisition marks a new chapter for the location that once aimed to offer visitors an enchanting, immersive experience.
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Evermore Park, founded by tech entrepreneur Ken Bretschneider, opened its doors to the public in 2018. It was designed as a year-round adventure park with a fantasy theme, allowing guests to explore a captivating world filled with medieval and Victorian-inspired architecture. Visitors were greeted by trained actors who brought fictional characters to life, creating an engaging atmosphere akin to that of a live-action role-playing game. Despite its ambitious concept, the park struggled against various challenges that ultimately hindered its success.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted attendance during the park’s initial years of operation. Further complications arose in 2021 when the park filed a lawsuit against pop star Taylor Swift for alleged trademark infringement relating to her album titled *evermore*. The legal tussle escalated with Swift’s countersuit; however, both parties ultimately decided to drop the lawsuits in March 2021. The following year, a YouTube influencer’s critical review of the park gained traction, amassing over 16 million views, which likely contributed to the park’s diminishing reputation.
In April 2024, following a series of setbacks and challenges, Evermore Park officially announced its closure. Although there were initially plans for new ownership, these prospects fell through, leaving the park in a prolonged state of abandonment. Sanderson, who owns neighbouring property, was later contacted by the seller regarding a potential acquisition. Despite originally declining the offer, he reconsidered when it became evident that reviving the park in its original form was no longer feasible.
The notion of restoring Evermore Park did not appeal to Sanderson, who expressed concerns about the financial viability of operating a theme park. “One of the reasons I did pass multiple times is I wanted someone to come in who could bring Evermore back the way it had been,” he shared. He recognised that his strengths lay elsewhere, particularly in publishing. However, upon realising no one else could rejuvenate the park, he decided to purchase the land to develop a new headquarters for his publishing company, Dragonsteel.
While Sanderson’s vision for the land includes creating a bookstore, events space, warehouse, and communal plaza, he clarified that the existing structures from Evermore Park are beyond repair. “None of the buildings are usable; they have degraded too far,” Sanderson explained. Consequently, the new plans will involve significant demolition work, marking the end of Evermore Park as it was once envisioned.
The author expressed a mixture of emotions regarding the transition. “This is why it’s bittersweet,” he remarked. “We were excited about the possibilities but also saddened that no one could make Evermore work.” Despite the demolition ahead, he remains determined to move forward with fresh plans for the site, aiming to create something distinctly separate from Evermore’s legacy.
Sanderson emphasised the importance of closure, stating, “I don’t want this to be a celebration of the fact that Evermore didn’t end up working — the dream didn’t end up working.” He acknowledged that every narrative has its conclusion, which, in this case, also represents a new beginning.
As his vision comes to fruition, local patrons and fantasy fans alike will keenly observe the transformation of the Evermore site into a space that reflects Sanderson’s creative ambitions, rather than the bygone fantasy park that once captured the imagination of its visitors.