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Last Days of Coney Island

The legendary Coney Island beach amusment park is due for a big change. A developer has been buying property at the urban fun stop.

 

Generations of people have ridden the world's most famous roller coaster and ferris wheel.

 

Soon this fun will either come to an end or go upscale.

 

It's one of those bitter-sweet situations. On one hand the park needs  upgrading. On the other, as one  young park goer told me, "Only the rich people will be able to come."

 

 

I'm not sure what's going to happen. Only that Coney Island will change.

 

 

 

They're not the highest or fastest or scariest ferris wheel and roller coaster. Just the world's most famous. Everyone has to ride them at least once in a lifetime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The day I visited there was a sandcastle contest!

So get out there and visit a legend before it's all gone!
COMMENTS
Perryandtina83 said at 2:05 a.m. on Aug 19, 2007:
wow! that is sad, i hope they redo it but keep the same aspect, a very nice tabblo,
Spilly0901 said at 10:15 a.m. on Aug 19, 2007:
Wow, hope the developers keep some of the Coney Island feel. Too bad that places like this are going by the wayside. Thanks for the trip to Coney.
LatentE said at 10:40 a.m. on Aug 19, 2007:
Nice tabblo. I especially like the long shot at the top of the Wonder Wheel, Cyclone and the beach.

Development plans seem to be up in the air. Considering the nature of much of NYC, my guess is that the developer hasn't paid off the right people.

Paving Over Fun
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/12/opinion/nyregionopinions/12CIbaker.html

Coney Island Plan Is Scaled Back, but Critics Are Skeptical
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/18/nyregion/18coney.html
GeorgePL said at 11:20 a.m. on Aug 19, 2007:
Thanks a lot for the links. It will be very interesting to see what happens.
Shenresi said at 12:03 p.m. on Aug 19, 2007:
very nice over there, great action and much fun - nice pics -
JuDeck said at 12:11 p.m. on Aug 19, 2007:
Nothing beats the old time amusement park, they have/had much more character than the newer parks. Bertrand Island was my favorite. I hope you have a ton of pictures of the now Coney Island. These are great shots.
Jerii said at 4:13 p.m. on Aug 19, 2007:
All the good old places are going away. But our kids will find their own good old places. In the mean time, it is great that places like this will be preserved thanks to wonderful photos like these.
Mashpee_Paula said at 5:03 p.m. on Aug 19, 2007:
Hey George ~ fantastic pictures! I particularly like the first picture and the lone man fishing! As you said everyone should at least ride the roller coaster, ferris wheel and of course enjoy a hot dog from Nathan's( at least once!!! Thank you George, these pictures bring back many fond memories for me! :) Hopefully, Coney Island will just be restored and not torn down!!
Roadglide said at 10:06 p.m. on Aug 19, 2007:
Growing up we had Nantasket beach in Hull Mass. Nastasket as I remember it was a fun amusement park Paragon Park, It was developed as well in to condos “ sad”. Wonderful pictures thank you for reviving some childhood memories . The Nathans photo is very good
Saulblum said at 7:29 a.m. on Aug 20, 2007:
Where was the first photo taken from, were you on a boat? The Cyclone is indeed a must-ride.
Katerina said at 9:12 a.m. on Aug 20, 2007:
Hi George
Terrific tabblo, evocative sense of an integral part of the NY experience.
btw do you still have your Boston phone #? I'm thinking of working on a Gr exhibit, so let me know if you're interested.
Katherine
Banafsheh said at 11:08 p.m. on Aug 20, 2007:
first and most you are totally missed! these are nice . I really like a few shots. Enjoy the City.
GeorgePL said at 6:26 p.m. on Aug 21, 2007:
While I'd like to say that I swam into the Atlantic Ocean to get the first shot it was actually taken from the same pier where the lone fisherman was standing.
Chiloedream said at 6:17 p.m. on Oct 14, 2007:
Joli George
Rataskaa said at 12:52 p.m. on Nov 9, 2007:
Wow, this was a great tabblo! I've never been to Coney Island, but now I feel that I have to! Nice!
Pkeener said at 1:31 p.m. on Nov 12, 2007:
the first shot is so nostalgic. thank you.
Pkeener said at 2:33 p.m. on Feb 25, 2008:
just remembered the van morrison tune where he talks about coney island. Rave On
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