Thursday, February 19, 2009

At Coney Island

I've been following the development hell that is Coney Island of late. (If you're not up to speed, on Tuesday, the Times had a decent overview of where things are...and be sure to check out Kinetic Carnival and Gowanus Lounge for as-it-happens news...not to mention coneyisland.com and any others that I'm forgetting...)

Anyway. This past holiday weekend seemed like a good time to visit Coney Island...to see things for myself...



Given everything that I had read to date, I expected a grim scene...



That's what I got. Suitably depressing. And almost unbelievable, really.



[Sigh] Ruby's, I was hoping maybe those reports were...not true.



I don't have much to add to what has already been noted other places...One thing: I was one of about, oh, 50 people walking around taking pictures. At one point, there were nearly 12 people in front of the now-derelict Shoot the Freak taking photos. I felt as if I was at a press conference.



Left 4 Dead? I'll say.



Hmmmm.



See some 50 more photos on my Flickr page.

3 comments:

Asis One said...

Reminds me of the end scene in The Warriors. This is such a travesty to me personally.

Anonymous said...

Your observation that you ran into about 50 people taking photos is telling. As someone who works in Coney, I worry that the proliferation of pix showing a disaster zone will reinforce the mistaken idea people have from media reports that ALL of Coney Island is closed.

Despite the devastating loss of Astroland and the threatening Store for Lease banners on Ruby's and other Thor owned properties, CONEY ISLAND WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS IN 2009! Not only the landmark Cyclone and Wonder Wheel, and Nathan's, but Deno's Wonder Wheel Park (20 rides), Eldorado Bumper Cars and Arcade, 12th Street Amusements including Polar Express, McCullough's Kiddie Park, The Coney Island Sideshow & Museum, the Coney Island History Project (under the Cyclone coaster), fireworks, Mermaid Parade and much, much more! Please visit and help us keep Coney's businesses alive and thriving! The 2009 season begins on Palm Sunday, April 5th.

List of what will *definitely be open & happenin' in 2009:
http://www.coneyisland.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?num=1232902433

Flickr group "Coney Island is Alive & Kicking" with 250+ photos of attractions you can enjoy in 2009: http://www.flickr.com/groups/coneyislandisaliveandkicking/pool/

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the information, Electricia...I'll post this a little later to help get the word out....