It's just a pile of dirt (or is that snow?) now, but by Memorial Day weekend, Luna Park at Coney Island will be teeming with 19 rides, games, food stands, live music, and--if all goes well--fun-loving customers. The City of New York and Central Amusement International revealed details about the revitalized Brooklyn amusement area today. The park will feature off-the-shelf rides from Zamperla, an Italian-based manufacturer whose US office is in New Jersey; park operator CAI is an offshoot of Zamperla. Among the attractions planned are the Speedy Discovery junior coaster, the Midi Discovery thrill ride, and the debut of the Air Race, a spinning ride.
Despite the ambitious construction schedule, renderings of the new park show a whimsical main entrance that captures the spirit, if not the elegance, of Coney Island's original Luna Park, which closed in 1944. Also announced today, CAI will open the Scream Zone, a second Coney Island amusement park, in 2011. It will feature two custom roller coasters. No details were made available about the coasters.
According to the announcement, NYC is pouring $6.6 million into Coney Island's redevelopment. CAI is investing $30 million in the two parks. Among future plans for the area is a new Steeplechase Plaza that will anchor one end of the amusement district.
Photo: A rendering of the evocative front gate at the new Luna Park. NYCEDC. Used with permission.
This is such exciting news!!! Hey, just a heads-up that Coney Island Craft Lagers(R) (handcrafted by Shmaltz Brewing Company) is putting out a special summer release called Coney Island Luna Lager(TM).
Luna Lager(TM) commemorates the launch of the new Luna Park 2010, and brings to life a delicious newcomer to their award-winning craft lager lineup for the community to enjoy this summer at America’s Playground.
Proceeds from Coney Island Craft Lagers(R) also continue to help Coney Island USA, a 501(c)(3) Arts Non-Profit fulfill its mission to defend the honor of lost forms of American popular culture in Brooklyn’s historic Coney Island neighborhood. Coney Island Luna Lager(TM) will be available this summer throughout New York City in 22 oz. bottles and a very limited supply of kegs at specialty shops and select bars.
Jesse-
Thanks for writing. Normally, I’d remove such a blatantly commercial comment. But the company is making a donation to Coney Island USA. And it has the coolest name ever: Shmaltz Brewing Company! I’m wondering when you’ll be rolling out your pickled herring-flavored craft lager?
-Arthur
I’ll hope for the best, I was extremely sorry to see asroland closed (along w/ the christmas eve chaining up of several boardwlk institutions by the all powerful thor equities). The old time, nieve feelof the amusment park, is, i fear gong for good
would there be any jobs avaiable??
Thanks for writing Naydene. I’d imagine Luna Park would be hiring very soon.
-Arthur
As a lifelong resident of NYC and a lifelong fan of Coney Island, this is the best news in decades. Thank God it is rides that are being installed on the property and not more new condos, which would go unsold and sit vacant for years like they do here in my hometown of Rockaway Beach. I get out to Coney at least once or twice every summer, and it always amazes me that despite the seediness of the area I never have any trouble, just great times. I expect even more visits this year. Nice article!
Having grown up in the Luna Park Co-Op housing in Coney Island and having worked two summers cooking french fries at Nathans in the 70’s I am excited by this news. For the last decade I took the kids to Coney every year to experience the Cyclone, Wonderwheel, Nathans and the new minor league baseball team (skipped last year though). Now a new great reason to keep the tradition.
Hi Arthur,
Thank-you for posting this! I’ve been in personal study obsession with the amusement parks of Coney island for quite sometime now, and think it’s grand they are embracing their heritage!
I’m a set designer with film/ tv experience in LA, but now live and work in Montreal, Canada, so I am often in New York. I would like to get involved somehow, is there someone at the project I can contact?
I think it’s so important the new park emulates the charm and fantasy of the old.
If so please email me back at galitonia@hotmail.com
Cheers,
Lacy