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In 1975-1977, I worked as an Emergency Medical Technician for NYC EMS at Coney Island Hospital. I didn't appreciate the Coney amusement area, perhaps it was because it had become and rough with lots of crime. I remember pronouncing a man dead, after he was stabbed on the beach one early morning. I rushed a detective, who was shot at the Stillwell & Surf Avenue subway station, to Coney Island Hospital. I had many calls for overdoses at drug dens on Mermaid Ave. The filthiness in those flop houses was utterly disgusting. My partner and I were always responding to calls in the projects on West 23rd Street. I remember the smell of urine that was in the elevators and the graffiti that was all over the walls, when they were working. The projects were just a place to warehouse poor and unfortunate people. On the positive side, neighborhoods change, sometimes for the worse or sometimes for the better. Downtown Brooklyn has amazingly changed for the better, so has 42nd Street & Broadway in Manhattan. I think Coney Island is a neighborhood in transition for the better. Right now there is a battle going on over zoning at the amusement area. Thor equities is buying up all the property it can in the area. They would love to build high rise condos. Members of the amusement community and the city want to keep the amusement park zoning. Thor Equities released an announcement, that they want to build a hotel with timeshare units and an indoor amusement area that can be utilized all year round. To me its all about politics and money! Looking back to Coney Island of the 1940's, 1950's and early 1960's, Coney Island was packed solid with people who came to enjoy the beach and amusements. People did not have air conditioning. They came from all over to escape the sweltering heat. Play Station, X-box, Nintendo, Computers and the internet offer arcade quality video games and entertainment right at home. Why leave the comfort of your house? If Coney Island and the Catskills want to survive, they must change. How they change? That's the million dollar question.
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Photo taken from the roof of the Luna Park houses
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Photo taken in the early 1990's from high up in the Wonder Wheel.
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Photo taken from the Wonder Wheel in the early 1990's before Key span park.
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The Thunderbolt before it was demolished.
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Having fun on the Cyclone.
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A slow exposure with the camera on a tripod created this effect.
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The Zapper spinning away!
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Even the slow Wonder Wheel can be made to spin.
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The landmark Steeplechase tower.
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A closeup view of the top of the Steeplechase tower.
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Memorial Day in the early 1990's, the Army in action!
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The boardwalk in the evening.
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The best Hot Dogs?
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Friday night fireworks.
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Friday night fireworks behind the Wonder Wheel.