The unfolding of Coney Island by farras abdelnour

Public Project

The unfolding of Coney Island

Copyright farras abdelnour 2024

Updated Oct 2013

Location USA, NY, Brooklyn

Topics Capitalism, Community, Documentary, Landscape, Photography, Photojournalism

Coney Island was once upon a time an outer barrier island, separated from Brooklyn by the Coney Island creek. Construction of the Belt Parkway led to the creek being filled in, making of Coney Island a peninsula. In early 20th century an electric railroad connected the peninsula with Manhattan, which attracted day trippers from the city. Amusement park Luna Park opened in 1903. The electric lamps covering the park's buildings were a novelty. The amusement park closed in 1944 after a fire destroyed much of it. Today the original park is occupied by a residential apartment complex. Astroland opened years later, in 1962 and became a huge city attraction. In the summer of 1975 Astroland became the operator of the nearby Cyclone, Coney Island's signature roller coaster ride. The theme park closed in September of 2008. The park is now occupied by modernised Luna Park, which opened in May of 2010. Today's Coney Island shows a mix of nostalgia and a push for ambitious development projects. How the neighborhood will evolve in the next few years is anyone's guess.

The photos encompass the period from January 2008 to March 2013.

10,731

farras abdelnour

Also by farras abdelnour —

9/11

Dean of Union Square

Morphed City

Life along the L line

Dusk Dialogue at 40.582N, 73.818W

Transients

Kenya, May 2016