Coney Island

Luna Park in Coney Island

Coney Island is a peninsular neighborhood and entertainment area in the southwestern section of the New York City borough of Brooklyn.

The origin of Coney Island's name is disputed, but the area was originally part of the colonial town of Gravesend. By the mid-19th century it had become a seaside resort, and by the late 19th century, amusement parks had also been built at the location. The attractions reached a historical peak during the first half of the 20th century. However, they declined in popularity after World War II and, following years of neglect, several structures were torn down. Various redevelopment projects were proposed for Coney Island in the 1970s through the 2000s, though most of these were not carried out. The area was revitalized with the opening of MCU Park in 2001 and several amusement rides starting in the 2010s.

Between about 1880 and World War II, Coney Island was the largest amusement area in the United States, attracting several million visitors per year. Luna Park opened in 1903. The park contained a variety of attractions and exotic landscaping, lit by electricity at night its flagship ride was A Trip to the Moon, an attraction based on Jules Verne's novel From the Earth to the Moon.

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Date: August 2012
Photographer: Merche Mateo
Additional information: wikipedia