Life is a rollercoaster
Coney Island, the tacky seaside resort that has assumed something of a cult appeal with New Yorkers, will have a piece of its glorious past saved and made into the centrepiece of a new amusement park by the Brooklyn boardwalk, New York City officials have announced...
The kitsch pink popcorn paradise of Coney Island has been a seaside resort since the end of the Civil War, and long before its neighbouring creek was filled to join it to the mainland.
When the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company electrified the steam railroads and connected Brooklyn to Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge at the beginning of the 20th century, Coney Island turned rapidly from a resort to an accessible location for day-trippers seeking to escape the summer heat in New York City's tenements.
Its amusement parks and holiday resort enjoyed years of popularity, reaching its peak in the early 20th Century, but it declined in popularity after World War II and endured years of neglect.
While all of the neighborhood's original amusement parks have long since closed down - Steeplechase being the last in 1964 - one, Astroland, was revived, but that too was shut last year.
Owners the Alberts closed Astroland after failing to reach a lease agreement with developer Thor Equities, which purchased the land in 2006.
The area now must be rezoned for commercial use from its original all-amusement designation for the new complex.
But one piece of Astroland will be saved - the 71-foot-long Rocket virtual reality ride to the moon will be displayed again at the planned 27-acre, year-round park by the boardwalk in Brooklyn.
The ride had been on top of a hot dog stand in Astroland, had 26 seats and lifted on vibrating hydraulics to simulate a launch into space.
Robert Lieber, the Deputy Mayor for economic development, said, "Coney Island is the people's playground and the Astroland Rocket is its symbol of the adventure, discovery and fun that have brought New Yorkers here for years."
Now, the Rocket will join other Astroland landmarks like the Cyclone, the Wonder Wheel and the Parachute Jump as permanent symbols of what Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz called ‘the Coney Island of the 21st century, a modern mecca of freakishness, fun-loving spirit and Brooklyn charm.'
The most famous of all the Coney Island attractions was the Cyclone rollercoaster, which opened in 1927, following the success of 1925's Thunderbolt and 1926's Tornado coasters.
A single ride cost 25 cents. In 1965, the Cyclone was bought by the city of New York for £700,000. Lack of riders hurt profits, and the ride was condemned; in 1972 it was nearly destroyed at the hands of a planned Coney Island aquarium expansion.
So strong was people's feeling about the Cyclone that a ‘Save the Cyclone'
campaign ensued, and the coaster was leased to the Astroland park for £40,000
per year.
The Cyclone was designated a landmark by the New York City Landmarks
Preservation Commission in 1988.
The planned ‘Coney Island of the 21st Century' also includes plans for a complex of high-rise hotels, shops, cinemas, an indoor water park and the city's first new roller coaster since the famous Cyclone was built more than 80 years ago.
Update: Coney Island
is alive and kicking!
The Coney Island History Project got in touch to say that, contrary to popular belief, not all of Coney Island amusements have shut down with the closing of Astroland.
Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, as well as McCullough's kiddie park, 12 St Amusements, Coney Island sideshow and the famous Cyclone remain open.
The Coney Island History Project also has an exhibition Centre under the Cyclone roller coaster, which presents a series of exhibits, events and performances and displays historic artifacts from Coney Island's colourful past.
The centrepiece is an authentic Steeplechase horse, part of the legendary ride that gave Steeplechase Park its name.
If you are thinking of paying a visit to Coney Island this year, you can view a full list of attractions that will be open by visiting www.coneyisland.com
Picture by Elsie esq