Can Nostalgia Save Coney Island?
When I saw this image (above left) in the NY Times, I was immediately caught up in the
world of the great, old amusement parks that used to exist in this country. So, the artist and developer succeeded in their visual sales pitch, at least as far as these two eyeballs were concerned.
In New York, there is an attempt to revive the former glory of the multi-acre amusement
park known as Coney Island. You may remember black and white photos, with teeming masses of people squished on to the sand beaches, kids on roller coaster rides, or throngs of men, women and children strolling the boardwalk. Of course THAT Coney Island is long gone, and what remains is kind of sad and forlorn. So, we now have competing plans on the drawing boards, (read more here) which have been created to bring back the glory days of old with a mix of housing, retail, and a revitalized amusement center. As a nostalgiaist (is there such a word?) I would love to see this stretch of beach reclaim its carnival playground heritage. But, does our contemporary culture fit in with an entertainment venue that started a steep decline as far back as the end of the Second World War?
I'm a sucker for preservation and urban revitalization, so I can't always be objective when
it comes to these issues. What I can do is look wistfully at that dynamic drawing, imagine the smell of the sea air, hear the roller coaster clanging along, the sound of thousands of kids screaming, and get all warm and fuzzy inside.
LC-USE6-D-001387 loc.gov; The Boardwalk, ca. 1908-15, LC-USZ62-107839 loc.gov /Artwork: designslinger]
Posted by designslinger at 2/19/2009 6:30 AM 
Categories: Architecture, Urbanism, History, Preservation
Categories: Architecture, Urbanism, History, Preservation
Thank you for your interest in the future of Coney Island! In response to your comment "Of course THAT Coney Island is long gone, and what remains is kind of sad and forlorn," we must disagree. Please take a look at the Coney Island History Project's new flickr group "Coney Island is Alive and Kicking and Welcomes Visitors in 2009." You'll see 290+ fabulous photos by 50+ accomplished photographers of existing attractions like the Cyclone, the Coney Island History Project (located under the Cyclone), the Wonder Wheel, 20+rides in Deno's Wonder Wheel Park,the Bumblebeez and other kiddie rides in Mccullough's kiddie park, The Eldorado Skooters, the Coney Island Arcade, Dreamland Roller Rink, Sideshows by the Seashore, Mermaid Parade, and much much more. There's not a sad or forlorn pic in the group!
The group's purpose is to show the world that contrary to news reports, Coney Island Is NOT Closed. We showcase the best of the best images of attractions that will *definitely* be here to welcome visitors in 2009. The group was started by the Coney Island History Project, a not-for-profit organization that aims to increase awareness of Coney Island's legendary and colorful past and to encourage appreciation of the Coney Island neighborhood of today.
www.coneyislandhistory.org
http://www.flickr.com/groups/coneyislandisaliveandkicking/pool/
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Thanks for the links to the flickr group and your organization. Hope everyone takes a look.
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