[Photo courtesy of julie wilson world/flickr] This is the Mermaid Parade in 1991 from super cool set of flickr photos posted by julie wilson world. The pics are from the 1990s and show a place that’s a changed quite a bit in even that short period of time. We found them via Kinetic Carnival.

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[Photo courtesy of stellag/flickr] This image from the New York Aquarium in Coney Island comes via our Gowanus Lounge flickr pool courtesy of staellag.

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The excellent Coney blog Kinetic Carnival, which covers Coney like no other, is reporting that the popular Coney Island fishing pier “could be closed off to the public as early as end of this June. And the boardwalk end of Labor Day.” KC writes: The city had originally planned to begin repairs on the strip […]

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One of the better pieces of news to come out of Coney Island recently is that the city is finally going to fix the horrendously deteriorated boardwalk. The city has allocated funds for the project, and tomorrow two state assembly members will be presenting a symbolic $10 million check to add to the pool of […]

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Kinetic Carnival has a report this morning that the remaining Reithoffer’s rides on Thor’s Stillwell Avenue property have been or are being removed. Reithoffer was only supposed to operate the ride through the first week of June and half had been removed by last weekend. Another operator is supposed to run a small number of […]

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Those who appreciate stories about the NYPD harassing photographers must read this tale from, of all places, Coney Island. It starts with a mother who object to a pic being taken of her child on a kiddie ride and ends with the cops intimidating a photographer into giving up his film. Yes, he was shooting […]

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There are two benefits for Lola Staar’s Dreamland Roller Rink coming up this week. One is on June 13 at Peggy O’Neil’s (which is part of KeySpan Park) and the other is on June 15 at Superfine in Dumbo. Here’s some info about both:<blockquote>This magical evening will transport you back to the fabulous Coney Island […]

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The politics of development, especially when billiions of dollars and the stake of an entire community are at stake, are never a pretty thing to watch. This week, however, the saga of Coney Island redevelopment, which has had many ups and down took a turn toward the ugly and the personal. Someone–it is suggested that […]

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Yesterday, the Post ran a story that we dubbed “Sofagate,” saying that Coney Island USA’s Dick Zigun, who founded the Mermaid Parade, was living in the building that the city helped the organization buy last year. Sources tell us they suspect that the story was given to the Post by Thor Equities and noted that […]

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[Photo courtesy of lornagrl/flickr] Here another cool shot of Coney Island contributed to our GL Photo Pool by lornagrl. It is of W. 12 Street at the Bowery and it is quite cool.

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The “Summer of Hope” in Coney Island is now smaller. Half the carnival rides on developer Joe Sitt’s land are gone (as was planned) and the temporary amusements have now been reduced. The petting zoo across the street has also left town. The rides have been replaced by parking and the blue fence that was […]

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“Coney Island’s famed Cyclone roller coaster isn’t just terrifying – it’s downright dangerous. There were at least seven incidents last summer in which riders suffered serious back and neck injuries, records show. At least two lawsuits stemming from the incidents have been filed, including one demanding $1 million. But the ride’s operator, Carole Albert, has […]

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[Photo courtesy of lornagrl/flickr] This contribution to our GL Photo Pool comes from lornagrl. It’s the scene outside the Freak Show in Coney Island naturally.

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It’s from Coney Island, where we imagine the beach will be popular on this very summer-like June Saturday.

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The Coney Island Development Corporation has launched a new website with a “Coney Island Fun Guide.” The site highlights Coney attractions and events and includes an event calendar. It’s part of the CIDC’s broader PR work for Coney Island beyond its, uh, somewhat more controversial rezoning efforts. The Fun Guide can be found here. We […]

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Here is the text of Coney Island USA’s Dick Zigun resignation from the Coney Island Development Corp. (It is posted on the Coney Island Message Board.) Mr. Zigun’s departure removes a significant voice for the amusement industry from the organization: I write this open letter of resignation from the position you appointed me to as […]

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Dick Zigun, who is the head of Coney Island USA and often referred to as the Unofficial Mayor of Coney Island because of his long tenure in the amusement district, is quitting the board of the Coney Island Development Corp. Mr. Zigun has been a voice of the amusement industry (to the extent one can […]

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There will be a debut party on Wednesday, June 4, for three beers from Schmaltz, makers of Coney Island Lager. The three beers will be: Albino Python White [spiced lager, orange peel, ginger, coriander, fennel); Sword Swallower Steel Hop Lager (4 malts, 8 hops – dry hopped with Amarillo, Crystal and Cascade); Human Blockhead Tough-as-Nails […]

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[Photo courtesy lornagrl/Gl Flickr Pool] This street sofa, dropped into our GL Photo Pool by lornagrl, looks like the kind of couch that one would expect to find on Sea Breeze Avenue, if not a condo in Brighton Beach or Coney Island.

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Here’s the second part of a compilation of historic footage of Coney Island shot between 1940 and 1956 that was posted to the YouTube this week.

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Fans of Coney Island and of really weird and darkly funny incidents will no doubt recall the guy that fell through the floor of the crapper at Ruby’s on the boardwalk in Coney Island. He was originally said to have come out of the basement covered in poo, but it was later said to only […]

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Here’s Part I of a compilation of historical footage posted this week to the YouTube.

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[Photo courtesy of lornagrl/flickr] This pic submitted by GL Photo Pool contributor lornagrl captures the very essence of the fun that one sees on the Coney Island Boardwalk in mid-step.

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The story about the guy that fell through the toilet floor at Ruby’s Bar in Coney Island over the weekend has been explained and updated. The person who posts photos as Rubyhost on flickr, explains that the person did not emerge “literally covered in shit” as was thought and says that landlord Joe Sitt is […]

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Of all the Coney Island stories we’ve read and heard, the one about the person that fell through the floor of the toilet at Ruby’s on the Boardwalk is one of the most interesting. Per the FDNY: “One guy was taking a leak, the floor partially collapsed, and he fell 10 feet.” He fell into […]

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