Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
NY's revamped Coney Island takes flight
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Asia Pacific
World
NY's revamped Coney Island takes flight
AFP - Saturday, May 29
Send
IM Story
Print
NY's revamped Coney Island takes flight
NEW YORK (AFP) - – New York's famed Coney Island, long fallen into a state of seedy disrepair, gets a new lease on life this weekend with the opening of 19 new rides including the hair-raising "Air Race."
Mayor Michael Bloomberg hailed a renaissance for the fairground district which had been allowed to "shrink to a shell of its former glory."
"Today, we're reversing that trend," he announced Friday.
The new attractions area, dubbed Luna Park, was opening in time for the three-day Memorial Day weekend with 19 new rides from Italian amusement rides specialist Zamperla.
These include "Air Race," which simulates the 4G forces experienced by fighter pilots, "Balloon Expedition," "Electro Spin, "Mermaid Parade" and the "The Tickler" -- a twisting roller coaster of switchback curves and steep drops.
Rides will be open until midnight each day of the summer.
City Council speaker Christine Quinn said Luna Park was the first new amusement park on Coney Island in 50 years. "It seems only apt that there is a ride called 'Brooklyn Flyer,' where visitors are able to swing across the sky and see all of Luna Park -- and Coney Island -- from a new horizon," she said.
The amusements are part of a newly defined 27-acre amusement and entertainment district, also including new housing, movie theaters and retail areas.
Critics originally worried the big redevelopment plan would kill Coney Island's traditionally offbeat character and put emphasis on retail rather than rides.
However, City Council member Domenic Recchia said the Zamperla rides were in the traditional spirit of Coney Island.
"Our critics said the thrill was gone from Coney Island, but they were wrong -- and the proof is right here in Luna Park," he said.
The Brooklyn beachfront neighbourhood, adjacent to the Russian immigrant magnet of Brighton Beach, was one of the world's first amusement parks and credited as the birthplace of the American hot dog.
The decline of Coney Island began more than half a century ago.
Until the opening of the new Luna Park, the area has long been a bizarre mixture of surviving rides, like the rickety Wonder Wheel and the ageing Cyclone rollercoaster, along with lots left empty by speculating developers.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Paris museum where Picasso stolen to reopen June 10 AFP - 1 hour 31 minutes ago
Balkan film festival opens in Transylvania AFP - Saturday, May 29
US writer pens new adventure for super-spy Bond AFP - Saturday, May 29
Python Palin thought 'Fish called Wanda' not funny AFP - Saturday, May 29
Ex-Pink Floyd frontman takes The Wall back on road AFP - Saturday, May 29
News Search
Top Stories
Fitch cuts Spain's debt rating over weak growth prospects
Bright sparks Nadal, Federer shine in Paris tennis
OECD pledges to cut deficits, protect growth
German bank gets fresh 10-billion-euro boost
BP pushes on with 'top kill', true slick size emerges
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Fergie to appear on Oprah show after scandal
BP pushes on with 'top kill', true slick size emerges
French protest as Europe implements austerity
Obama and family back in Chicago for holiday weekend
US economy weaker than estimated in first quarter
More Most Viewed »
Scientists stunned as grey whale sighted off Israel
Hubble catches planet being devoured by its star
UN fears 'irreversible' damage to natural environment
Earth may be too hot for humans by 2300: study
Ocean fish could disappear in 40 years: UN
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Saturday, 29 May 2010 French court rejects Noriega jail appeal
Flotilla set for final leg of Gaza blockade-busting bid
Steve Jobs steers Apple to the top
German bank gets fresh 10-billion-euro boost
Bright sparks Nadal, Federer shine in Paris tennis
'Crossbow cannibal' man accused of UK prostitute deaths
Gaza aid flotilla delays departure until Saturday
OECD pledges to cut deficits, protect growth
Austria bans Google's street view cars over privacy
Study Finds Most HIV Pateints Undergo Treatment Late After Diagnosis
Clinton presses Sri Lanka on rights panel
|
Spain Losses AAA Credit Rating
Serbia snaring border migrants to bolster bid for EU
|
Texas Receives Terror Alert From Somali Goverment
Afghan forces battle militants near eastern border
Pakistanis create rival Muslim Facebook
Mother Convicted In Facebook Harassment Case Initiated By Son
Ecuador volcano erupts, villagers evacuate
|
Fighting rages in eastern Afghanistan
"Idol" Winner Lee DeWyze, Crystal Bowersox Sign Record Deals
Yemen separatists kill 3 soldiers
|
Extreme Video Of Dairy Farm Abuse, Misdemeanor Charges Ignite Anger
Backstreet Boys Leave Jive Records
Cyprus bans activists from joining flotilla
|
Ford Looks To End Mercury Brand
Personal Spending Stays Flat, Consumer Confidence Improves
US National Security Strategy Identifies India As Strategic Partner
Brazil, Turkey sharpen tone with US over Iran
Interpol says no call received to arrest Thaksin
China watching from the sidelines again
Prudential re-examines Asian insurer buyout
ADB asks Sri Lanka to reduce size of budget
Standard Chartered bank's India offer oversubscribed
Toyota says global April sales up 21.3 percent on-year
Reliance Industries strikes oil in western India
Management Tip of the Day: Get rid of email dysfunction
|
Book publishers agree change coming; details murky
|
Tobacco industry targeting women in poor countries: WHO
Balkan film festival opens in Transylvania
NY's revamped Coney Island takes flight
US writer pens new adventure for super-spy Bond
Britain struggled to deal with gay rights: archives
Prague secret police lookout gives glimpse back in time
Jordan launches $10 billion Aqaba development
Python Palin thought 'Fish called Wanda' not funny
Tourist-dependent Jamaica suffers image blow
Militants attack Afghan police convoy, killing 5
Markets rattled as Fitch cuts Spain's debt rating
Online bidders hot for Napa Valley wines
Google crowns Facebook king of Internet visits
U.S. out to make China feel awkward, says North Korea
|
Nuclear treaty talks on brink of failure: diplomats
|
India police say Maoists sabotage train
|
Lindsay Lohan wants a Chanel alcohol tag
House Votes to Repeal U.S. Military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy on Gays
Thailand ends night curfew in Bangkok, nearby provinces
|
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist Announces Two Weekends Of Statewide License-Free Saltwater Fishing
Nigeria president urges electoral reform by year-end
|
U.S. Markets Drop On Spain Concerns, End May Much Lower
Uranium enrichment not discussed in Iran deal: Brazil
Thai authorities lift Bangkok curfew: PM
Nepal's PM 'ready to resign': spokesman
DOJ, Arizona officials meet over immigration law
Coalition partner threatens to quit Japan's govt.
Minimum and maximum global temperatures in Celsius
China wants peace on the Korean peninsula: Wen Jiabao
U.S. studies options for possible Pakistan attack: report
|
Policeman detained after a death at Vietnam protest
Ecuador volcano erupts, villagers evacuate
|
Nakamura a doubt for Japan-England match
Fire at Iran oil well, three dead: report
|
Death toll mounts in Maoist train sabotage
90 dead in India train wreck
China faces pressure to act over N.Korea at summit
5.4 quake hits northwest China: USGS
Judge orders Toyota to release documents in lawsuit
Apple inquiry focuses on price fixing
|
Gulf sex shop offers marriage guidance
Paris museum where Picasso stolen to reopen June 10
Gary Coleman dies after brain hemorrhage
|
Life after American Idol opens up for Lee and Crystal
|
Bieber-mania sparks search for next teen sensation
|
Idol creator Fuller mounts takeover bid for CKX
|
Oliver Stone: Venezuela's Chavez is misunderstood
|
Rapper Game doesn't play by music-promotion rules
|
Glam rock alive and well with Semi Precious Weapons
|
Drone crew blamed in Afghan civilian deaths
Gunmen kill at least 70 in Pakistan mosque attacks
|
Indian police hunt Maoists after deadly train crash
|
After May madness, Wall Street faces loaded week
Taliban fighters seize district in east Afghanistan
|
Suspect In Shooting Dead Of Brooklyn Teen Arrested
Israeli air strikes target factory, tunnel in Gaza
|
CPSC Warns Memorial Day Weekend Among the Deadliest Holidays for ATV Riders
Instant View: Centre-right lead in Czech parliamentary vote
|
The CPSC Identifies Manufacturers of Toxic Chinese Drywall
Iraq's Maliki stands firm on post of PM
|
Cost Plus / World Market Recalls Tea Glasses Due to Risk of Lead Exposure
Three killed as Turk forces clash with Kurd rebels
|
Buckyballs® High Powered Magnets Sets Recalled by Maxfield and Oberton Due to Violation of Federal Toy Standard
Guatemala girds for first Pacific storm of season
|
Thai PM lifts curfew but casts doubt on 2010 poll
Nepal PM agrees to resign to avert crisis
N.Korea rejects evidence over sinking of S. Korean ship
S.Korea, China, Japan move towards free trade bloc
China calls for official trade talks with S.Korea
Gay activists outwit Moscow police with brief protest
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights