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Swan song for Coney Island's Astroland

By Ryan Chatelain | ryan.chatelain@am-ny.com

September 8, 2008

By the time Astroland's gates opened for the final time yesterday, dozens of thrill seekers were already waiting to say goodbye to the iconic Coney Island amusement park.

"It's a wonderful and strange addition to New York," said Helen Kapstein, 38, of Brooklyn, who brought her two children to Astroland. "It's an institution." The space-themed park's run ended after 46 years yesterday. Astroland's owners, who sold their 3.1 acres to developer Thor Equities for $30 million in November 2006, gave up seeking a two-year lease extension and informed employees Thursday that they were calling it quits.

However, some Astroland visitors were still holding out hope that a deal could be worked out to save the park.

"I hope that it doesn't,"said Eliya Ahmad, 7, moments after riding the Popeye Boats while wearing an ear-to-ear grin. "Next time I see a star, I'm going to wish that it's not going to happen."

The Bloomberg administration and Thor have separate plans for the Coney Island waterfront that includes a new amusement park, retail stores, hotels, restaurants and more. The city is seeking a zoning change for its proposal, which would require purchasing property from various landowners, including Thor. The earliest the city expects to begin construction is next fall.

Thor officials say they plan to bring temporary amusements, games, shopping and entertainment to Coney Island next summer.

Ray Chao, 35, who moved from Chicago to Brooklyn a year ago, took advantage of his last chance to pay a first visit Astroland.

"It seems so unique," Chao said. "I walked on the boardwalk, and I was thinking, I don't think there's any place in the world that looks like this. I felt like it would be a real shame to update it. It just doesn't seem to need it."

Astroland's employees also said they were sad that popular rides such as the Astrotower, Dante's Inferno and Break Dancer would soon disappear from Coney Island. The Cyclone roller coaster, a city landmark, is protected and will continue to run next year.

When asked what he most liked about working at Astroland, Brandon Harris, 22, who was operating the Dime Toss game and is a Coney Island native, said: "The excitement on the people's faces. They get on the rides, and all the kids are having fun. I'm going to miss everything about the old park."