Photo credit: © Norman Blake

Even a pandemic can’t sink the zany spirit of the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. The event, now in its 40th year, is the nation’s biggest art parade and the largest annual event in Coney Island. After a two-year hiatus, the parade will return “fin-person” this year to welcome summer, co-presented by Coney Island USA and Coney Island Brewery, on Saturday, June 18, rain or shine.

Details here

Photo of Coney Island by Shinya Suzuki on Flickr

Coney Island’s Luna Park is set to open for the 2022 season on Saturday, April 2. The iconic Brooklyn amusement park is hosting its traditional opening-day ceremonies, including the egg-cream christening of the Cyclone rollercoaster, which is celebrating its 95th anniversary this year. The first 95 rides on the coaster will be free to celebrate this milestone and each lucky rider will receive a free egg cream.

Find out more

Rendering courtesy of BFC Partners

BFC Partners announced on Monday the groundbreaking for the second phase of their 100 percent affordable housing project in Coney Island. Located at 1607 Surf Avenue, the roughly 361,000-square-foot mixed-use development contains 376 affordable rental units, 9,000 square feet of community space, and 11,000 square feet of commercial space. The $189 million project also includes a new primary care location run by New York City Health and Hospital Corporation.

See more here

Photo by Kim on Flickr

One of New York City’s oldest traditions may also be its coldest. The 119th annual New Year’s Day polar bear plunge returns to Coney Island on January 1 for the first time since New Year’s Day 2020. Hosted by the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, the oldest winter bathing club in the United States, the event draws thousands of New Yorkers brave enough to jump in the Atlantic Ocean during the winter.

Get the details

Photo via Shinya Suzuki’s Flickr

The New York City Parks Department announced this month $114.5 million in funding will be used to kick off the reconstruction of Coney Island’s landmarked Riegelmann Boardwalk in the first such overhaul since the wooden walkway was built in the 1920s. But not everyone is on board with the reconstruction, which involves replacing the length of the hardwood boardwalk with recycled plastic decking as part of a sustainability plan. Some residents feel the synthetic material is a poor choice for the waterfront icon.

Find out more about the proposed new boardwalk

Photo of Coney Island by Shinya Suzuki on Flickr

Here’s a chance to live a block from Coney Island‘s beloved beach and boardwalk of  at a discount. A housing lottery launched this week for 138 affordable apartments at a new complex on Surf Avenue and West 20th Street in the Brooklyn neighborhood. Dubbed Raven Hall, the development has on-site laundry, a community center, a fitness center, and a rooftop terrace with ocean views. New Yorkers earning 40, 50, 60, and 100 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $558/month studios to $2,229/month three-bedrooms.

Find out if you qualify

Photo by Jim McDonnell courtesy of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park

In 1920, in the aftermath of a global pandemic, Coney Island’s iconic Wonder Wheel opened. Now, over 100 years later, the Brooklyn amusement park is welcoming another new ride following a difficult year for New Yorkers. The Phoenix roller coaster will officially open at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park on July 1, just in time for the Fourth of July weekend.

Learn more

Mermaid Parade 2018; Photo Credit: © Norman Blake

Following a virtual celebration in 2020 due to the pandemic, Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade is back for an in-person event this year. Coney Island USA announced this week that the 39th annual parade will take place on September 12, ending, instead of kicking off, New York City’s summer season.

Find out more

Rendering courtesy of Handel Architects

As part of the Coney Island Phase I development, an affordable housing lottery launched today for 400 units, available to those earning 30, 40, 50, 60, 100, and 130 percent of the area median income. Located at 2926 West 19th Street, the new development is across the street from the Brooklyn Cyclones at MCU Park and just steps away from the Coney Island Stillwell Avenue Q train station and the historic Coney Island boardwalk and beach. Available apartments range from $367/month studios to $2,250/month three-bedrooms.

Find out if you qualify

Photo by Marcell Viragh on Unsplash

After never being able to reopen last year, Coney Island’s Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park will open for the 2021 season on Friday, April 9, the date on which the state said outdoor amusement parks and rides can reopen at 33 percent capacity. For now, the Wonder Wheel will only be open on weekends from 11am to 6pm with advance reservations (there will also be a limited number of standby tickets).

Read more