Coney Island Research

            The history of Coney Island begins with the settlement of New Amsterdam by the Dutch in present-day Manhattan in the early 1600s. In order to entice settlers to their new territory, the Dutch granted land to those who came over. Several families owned land on Coney Island, and it operated as a small farming community until the middle of the 19th century (“Coney Island History” par. 1-20). In 1820, Coney Island got its first road, and a few hotels were set up soon after. Restaurants, nightclubs, and music venues followed—Coney Island was becoming an entertainment hub in the city. Several investors bought land, established resorts, and set up a private railroad running to Coney Island. The iconic amusement parks of Coney Island opened in the early 1900s, and gave the area the charm it is known for (“The Comprehensive History” par. 7-12). Coney Island was connected to mainland Brooklyn through a process called land reclamation, where land is created from existing riverbeds. In the early 1920s, Brooklyn appropriated much of Coney Island strictly for amusement purposes. Three main amusement parks existed on Coney Island: Steeplechase Park, Luna Park, and Dreamland. Together, they attracted millions of guests each year. On Memorial Day in 1911, an electrical malfunction caused a fire on one of the rides in Dreamland. Because the rides were all made of wood, the fire spread quickly. Dreamland and a few hotels across the street were destroyed, and some people died in the fire. Luna Park also fell victim to a fire in 1944 and was removed by 1946 (“The Wonders of Coney Island” par. 1-12). Steeplechase Park was gone not too long after, meaning all three original parks no longer existed. Instead, Astroland was built in 1962. It underwhelmed residents, who remarked that it was “more like stepping into the past than the future”(par. 15-19). The most iconic rides on Coney Island are the Cyclone rollercoaster, the decommissioned Parachute Jump, and Deno’s Wonder Wheel. These rides all date back to the early 20thcentury, which is widely considered to be the best period in Coney Island’s history (par. 22-25). Billionaire Joe Sitt, who owns much of the land on Coney Island, plans to revitalize the area for future use. He plans to add a luxury resort, high rises, a four-star hotel, and an airship station to captain tours above Coney Island (Brown, par. 4-11). 

            The Coney Island of yesteryear was known for its shoreline, its creeks, and its wetlands. However, these natural features were diminished in the development of the area for entertainment purposes. Coney Island is at risk of becoming uninhabitable in the future due to the rising sea levels caused by climate change (Friedlander, par. 1-4). Much of the island is located as low as three feet above sea-level, and a four-foot rise in sea level is projected as early as 2070. Students at Cornell, studying the changing climate in relation to Coney Island, have proposed efforts to reorganize the area so that attractions are located on higher ground. They also suggest tidal barriers as a way to offset the problem for as long as possible (par. 6-11). However, the efforts on Coney Island alone will not be enough to prevent the onset of climate change without greater societal action. 

            The neighborhood of Coney Island, apart from the entertainment area, has a small population of less than 25,000. However, because of its iconic status, many notable people have either visited or worked at Coney Island. Brooklyn’s own rap group, the Beastie Boys, visited Coney Island Beach during the summer of 1985. In 1977, controversial director Woody Allen directed a scene of his movie Annie Hall on Coney Island. Michael Jackson and Diana Ross starred in the 1978 adaptation of The Wiz, directed by Rob Cohen, with a scene featuring one of Coney Island’s rollercoasters (“Vintage Photos” par. 8-10). Multiple other movies are either based in or feature Coney Island. These include 1974’s The Lords of Flatbush with Sylvester Stallone and 1979’s The Warriors, which took a fictional glance at gang culture in New York (par. 12). Part of Coney Island’s cultural significance comes from its depiction in various forms of media, from the big screen to Great American Novels. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the book’s protagonist, Jay Gatsby, invites the narrator, Nick Callaway, to Coney Island (Danger, par. 4). 

Coney Island has reached its well-known status because it rose to prominence as New York City became the world leader it is. Even further, Coney Island’s entertainment represented a shift in American culture from practicality to excess as the American economy improved. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the amusement of Coney Island provided an inexpensive escape for families from the harsh realities of life. Although early 20th century American was often characterized by social strife, Coney Island allowed people of all races, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds to enjoy child-like amusement (“Cheap Thrills” par. 1-5). 

Although Coney Island is often seen only as the city’s capital for recreation and entertainment, it also serves as a residential neighborhood. The neighborhood was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Since then, new storm barriers have been installed in order to minimize future flooding. However, while the beachfront section of Coney Island has been fortified, the area directly surrounding Coney Island Creek is still vulnerable. This leaves Coney Island susceptible to “backdoor flooding,” with origins near the unprotected creek (Kensinger, par. 9). After Hurricane Sandy, the city invested money in the repair and redevelopment of sections of Coney Island. Residents have had mixed reactions to the city’s efforts to restore and improve on Coney Island. Many recognize that the city’s money has made Coney Island a newer, more desirable place to live and visit. However, other residents worry that the development efforts are too short-sighted and may compromise the preservation of Coney Island’s storied history (“Where the Boardwalk Ends” par. 3-8). In an effort to combat the gentrification and wage inequality occurring in New York, Coney Island is active in the New York City Housing Partnership. Through this initiative, seven new three-family homes will be developed in the neighborhood. These houses will be designated as affordable housing, allowing residents who would have otherwise had to rent houses to begin to pay for a mortgage (“Recent Home Developments” par. 12-14). The Coney Island neighborhood seems to have a bright future, due in part to the commitment of the city to ensure its upkeep and the New York City Housing Partnership’s efforts to create affordable housing options for residents.