Coney Island is located in the southernmost part of Brooklyn, one of New York City’s five boroughs. It has been a resort area since the 1860s and features a beach and boardwalk with amusement rides and games. It is also an integral part of American Culture and has been featured in countless films and written about in books. New York City would not be itself without Coney Island, a place to get away from it all.
Between 1880 until the end of World War II, Coney Island was the largest amusement park in the world, but saw a decline after the war. With the automobile gaining popularity, many New Yorkers, traveled to other beaches that were less crowded.
In the 1950s, Coney Island experienced some problems. It was during this time, that teenaged gangs ravaged the amusement park through a series of fires and vandalzism. This put a damper on the local economy as well as the park itself. By 1964, Coney Island was in serious need of rehabilitation when Steeplechase Park, one its most popular amusement parks, closed.
During the 1970s, efforts were made by various developers to restore the park. As developers moved and family-owned establishments dwindled, the resort began to grow. Today, Coney Island features several amusement parks, a large beach and plenty of nearby accommodations for visitors.
Today, after 1.5 billion dollars in renovations, Coney Island stands proudly as a popular resort area in New York City. It is also a national historic landmark. It features some of the longest running amusement rides in the world.
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