The week before Easter has traditionally marked the opening of Coney Island’s famed Luna Park. After the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, there were fears that this would be an impossibility this year. In a testament to the incredible recovery effort that took place, Luna Park will indeed open this weekend. In keeping with tradition, Senator Charles Schumer and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Marowitz will hold the “Blessing of the Rides” Sunday morning, complete with an egg cream christening of the first car of the famed Cyclone coaster. Deno’s Wonder Wheel will be free all day and the first 100 people in line for the Cyclone get a free ride. This is an exciting and hopeful piece of Brooklyn news for everyone.
But, all is still not well in the area. Coney Island still needs help after Sandy.
Johanna Zaki of the Alliance For Coney Island wants to remind everyone that “this community was definitely hit hard by Sandy, and it’s not only the amusements and concessions that Coney Island is so well-known for, but there’s a residential community of about 50,000 people that live here that were all affected by Sandy.”
Locals are begging people not to take the fact that the rides are back up and running as an indication that all is well in the area. Coney Island residents know there is still a lot of reconstruction ahead, and they want Brooklyn newspapers to know it as well. Enjoy the rides, but keep the locals in your hearts and minds as well!