Coney Island, a historic amusement park that has always been a cross between a carnival and a freaky circus side show, gave the strip of beach in Brooklyn it's famed name. Well, this much beloved amusement park and the birthplace of the hot dog in the US (1867), was sold a week ago to a group of developers for over 30 million dollars. As a result, Astroland will be shutting down it's rides for good at the end of this summer. What will come in its place? A glitzy, Vegas-style complex that includes condos and upscale shops.

I'm sure Brooklynites will have plenty to say on this when they get back from their holydays. As a New Yorker, Coney Island was where I went as a child during hot summers for some sand, surf and sun, a lot of fun on the 15 different kiddie ride (including a kiddie roller coaster) and interesting food. ThatÂ’s where I had my first taste of cotton candy, caramel corn, corn on the cob, candied apples, ices, fish & chips and where my taste buds grew up by eating my all time favorite: Fried Calamari with spicy marinara sauce!

For the past 3 summers IÂ’ve taken my son there, starting in the spring and ending in September, hoping to stretch out the summer as much as possible. On hearing the news I got a bit wistful, because a bit of my past will be gone when it's demolished. It will only live on in film (over 200), novels, and photographs. IÂ’ve done my share by taking pictures and posting them whenever IÂ’ve been able to at my NYC Postcards site and here (can't find the pics right now). Actually, without the amusement park there really is no reason for me to visit Brooklyn. Sorry Erica, but as they say from where I live, "that's a long-ass trip from Queens!"

Posted by: Michele at 11:40 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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