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RIP Astroland, RIP

RIP Astroland, RIP published on 6 Comments on RIP Astroland, RIP

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I didn’t make it to Astroland to say goodbye.

My relationship with Coney Island dates back to the womb. My parents took me there as a child and their parents took them. I’m old enough to remember the laughing lady in The Fun House, The Bob Sled, Jumbo Jet, Tornado and Thunderbolt before they shut down. My favorite ride was the Water Flume though. Not too scary.

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Thunderbolt

My family moved to Brightwater Towers on Surf Avenue during my senior year in high school. It was a bit of a schlep to get anywhere from the farthest end of Brooklyn, but I soon gathered that living in Coney was worth it. From my window, I could hear the sea lions at the aquarium and the screams from The Cyclone. When friends came to visit, we would go to Nathan’s, ride the bumper cars or The Cyclone. If we weren’t up for that (and what teenager isn’t?) we would go to the beach or grab a couple of knishes along the boardwalk.

Flea markets lined Surf Avenue during the 80’s and into the 90’s. I got THE-BEST vintage clothing from these stalls. I bought sixties dresses and suits from the forties for two bucks a pop. There were furniture and tschotska vendors as well.

During my photo school years, Coney Island and Brighton Beach were my favorite places to shoot. And they still are. I loved the crowds in the summer, but more so, I loved the desolate look of the area in the winter. If I got out of my apartment early enough on a winter weekday, I would be the only one around in the crumbling amusement park.

Coney Island will always be around. It’s just Astroland that has closed. The Cyclone, *Wonder Wheel and *Parachute Jump are historic landmarks, so they are safe from demolition. Supposedly. (* Not part of Astroland) I’d imagine that the area will change dramatically though. Will Insectavora and Donny Vomit still be welcome? What about the drag queen mermaids? I’m sure nobody is going to mess with The Polar Bears though. Let ’em try.

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Dante’s Inferno

Fun fact: Fred Trump (Donald’s dad) bought Coney Island’s Steeplechase Park property during the 1960’s with plans to develop luxury apartments. Due to legal issues, he was never able to develop. Perhaps Thor will have the same headaches?

The -probably too late- petition to save Astroland.

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