This entry has been written by Meghan Droge, summer web editorial assistant for AAA New York.

     As a Long Island resident for the past 21 years, I am embarrassed to admit that the closest I have ever come to Coney Island, let alone Brooklyn, is from my living room couch when I struggle to watch stomach-turning highlights of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest each year. Fortunately, I had the pleasure of visiting the birthplace of the American amusement industry for the first time earlier this summer.

As I began the hike from my suburban home to the unfamiliar urban locale, my little Honda found itself on the Belt Parkway (surprisingly, another first of mine). Lucky to be behind the wheel, I will not hesitate to say that driving on the Belt Parkway at 8 a.m. will give even the richest cup of coffee a run for its money as a morning wake-up call. Throughout the ride, I struggled to stay in my narrow lane as the Brooklyn scenery approached.  This is a roadway where your full driving attention is required at all times!

One of the first sites that came into view is the Parachute Jump which is an old amusement ride. Standing as a historical memento and a piece of the Brooklyn skyline, the landmark is located next to Keyspan Park, home of the minor league baseball team for the New York Mets, the Brooklyn Cyclones. Parking at Keyspan Park provides easy access to the extensive Riegelmann boardwalk which runs parallel to the beach. Sandwiched by park benches and playgrounds, the boardwalk is used by bikers and joggers of all nationalities and ages. Some boardwalk highlights include a building of hot pink and neon decor known as Lola Staar’s Dreamland Roller Rink. The site hosts themed events such as an 80’s Disco Skate for rollerblading fans of all ages. Also located nearby is the Pat Auletta Steeplechase Pier which is a popular fishing location and a perfect place to snap a photo of the Coney Island scenery.

Aside from the exercise enthusiasts, summer workers also span the boardwalk. Their labor is essential during the location’s most popular season, but despite their presence, I still came across a number of wobbly nails and rickety planks. While at first startled, I soon wondered just how crowded these wooden planks must have been during the early 20th century when Coney Island was in its prime. As the afternoon crept in, the noise and excitement that I had expected to see upon my immediate arrival soon emerged. I suddenly witnessed the energetic ambiance that has dubbed Coney Island, “The People’s Playground.” Locals high-fived familiar friends while tourists snapped photos of the colorful strip of vendors. I passed people grooving to music while others gave money to a musician trying to make some extra cash.

A selection of outdoor seating was filled with visitors dining on a variety of summer treats. The amusement park rides, although decades old, still draw crowds. Two popular rides still in operation are the Cyclone and Deno’s Wonder Wheel. Other attractions include bumper cars, a circus side-show, and arcade games complete with employees encouraging you to “step right up.” Coney Island is also home to the Mermaid Parade, Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation, AVP professional beach volleyball tour, and its own museum, in addition to other exciting and quirky events.  Also still in existence is the legendary Nathan’s. When my stomach began to rumble, it only seemed appropriate to purchase a famous hotdog but sadly, about 30 other folks had the same idea, so I settled on a hamburger from Ruby’s Bar and Grill instead.

Unfortunately, while trekking to Ruby’s, the other half of Coney Island’s reality soon became clear to me. Although still recruiting tens of thousands of visitors each year, it is not hard to see that the Coney Island of the new millennium is struggling.  This is evident in the abundance of graffiti-ridden vacant lots surrounding the park. There are currently talks of giving Coney Island a face-lift by building condos and ritzy restaurants to replace the weathered and graffiti-filled shops. Moreover, the plug has been pulled on some side attractions such as Astroland which closed in 2008. The fear is that these renovations may push visitors to forget all that has made “The People’s Playground” a legendary American landmark.

However, even within this atmosphere of uncertainty about Coney Island’s future, it was comforting to see that the workers at Ruby’s still treasure the roots of this Brooklyn getaway. They wear “Save Coney Island” t-shirts and their restaurant displays hundreds of black and white photos commemorating the heyday of the entertainment center. While scanning the walls, I remembered the summer workers that I had passed that morning. Perhaps those hard-working employees are wondering if they may someday see these black and white images of a crowded boardwalk become colorful prints if their labor for the historical Coney Island can preserve its legacy and prevent it from turning into a resort paradise. Although the attraction is undergoing changes, hearing the joy of simple laughter throughout the day served as proof for me that Coney Island is still alive, even if much of its physical components can only survive as memories. “The People’s Playground” is affordable and spacious enough for you to explore at your leisure which are luxuries that are hard to find at entertainment complexes today. While its future is unknown, I can assure you for now that Coney Island’s historic charm has not yet faded.  Not yet anyway.  I am already planning my next visit.