2866 West 17th Street

Brooklyn, New York 11224

Phone: (718) 266-1612

FAX: (718) 946-3651

The Shrine Church of Our Lady of Solace

Over 110 Years of Service to  the People of God in Coney Island

REV.  ARMANDO M. PALMIERI, S. D. V., Parish Administrator

REV.  SHIJU CHITTATTUKARA, S. D. V. , Parochial Vicar

A PARISH SERVED BY THE

VOCATIONIST FATHERS

The Amusement Parks of Coney Island

Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park with its delightful children’s rides and, of course, the great landmark Wonder Wheel itself with its stationary and swaying gondolas. The 2,000-ton structure was built in 1920 by the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company and operated by the Garms family. On the Boardwalk in front of the Wheel was Ward’s Kiddie Land.  Both were purchased in 1981 and 1983 by Denos Vourderis.  Under ownership and care of the Vourderis family, the Wheel is in top condition.  It is a New York City Landmark and listed on the U. S. National Register of Historic Places.  

THE WONDER WHEEL

IN ACTION

Among Coney Island’s various ups and downs is the 100-foot Sure Shot at Deno’s on the north side of the Wonder Wheel.  (A junior-sized version, the Free Fall, is in the kiddie land section.)  Also in this section are Spook-a-Rama haunted house ride and the ThunderBolt, a Himalaya-style thrill ride.

CLICK ON EACH PICTURE TO SEE IT IN LARGE SIZE IN A SEPARATE TAB OR WINDOW.

Built in 1927, as an independent ride, now owned by New York City Parks, the Cyclone is a City Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.. Restored and operated by the Albert family as part of Astroland from 1975 10 2010, it is now maintained and operated by CAI.

CYCLONE

THE CYCLONE IN ACTION

It’s a glorious site to see the moon rings of Luna Park once again gracing Surf Avenue on the historic site of both Feltman’s Hot Dog Emporium and Astroland.  Although it’s smaller than it’s namesake ancestor, CAI’s magnificent version features 19 rides and all the thrills, chills and “lunar madness” of its original namesake.

The Tickler switchback ride was a Luna Park original as was so popular that a version was built in Steeplechase Park. Independent versions also sprang up.  Zamperla’s version recreates it on a modern metal coaster track instead of the old cars-on-rollers guided over a wood boardwalk-style trackway.

The original Luna Park site with the utilitarian “beehive” housing projects that for decades were Robert Moses’ and Fred Trump’s dream…and Coney Island’s nightmare. The old theme park had been the main inspiration for Walt Disney’s “Disneyland.” in Anaheim. California.

A remnant of Astroland still occupies its original location, the disused AstroTower (‘The Bagel on a Stick”) with its rotating scenic elevator.

The Main Gate on Surf Avenue directly across from the original Luna Park site. The original Skip Dundy park lasted from 1903 until it was destroyed by fire in 1944. It sported 500 of the sphere-topped towers seen here.

The Brooklyn Flyer

The Air Race

Tea Cup Ride

(popularized at Astroland in the 2004 film

“Uptown Girls”)

Wild River Flume Ride

LUNA PARK IN ACTION

Electro Spin

The Tickler

The Air Race

The toothy grin of George Tilyou’s Steeplechase Park mascot “Tillie” graces the logo to Coney Island’s newest park, Scream Zone. Packed with 4 high-powered thrill rides partially on the site of the legendary Tornado bobsled roller coaster, Bob’s Coaster Baths, and the motocross race track and batting range that succeeded them, it lives up to its name and more.

On the Soaring Eagle riders board standing up and then move into a horizontal position for a steep 50-foot climb.  The coaster then takes them for a ride of whirls, banks and loops simulating an eagle’s flight.

The Xenobia features open gondolas each seating up to 4 people back-to-back on each end of a giant crane-style “propeller.” It also provides spectacular views of Coney Island reminiscent of those from the top of the old Parachute Jump.

Sling Shot sends two people in a ball up approximately 150 feet in the air only to drop down in a heart-pounding bungee-jumping experience.

The Steeplechase is an homage to the original competitive sliding horse track coaster that provided George Tilyou’s great park its name.  This incarnation is a top-riding side-by-side high speed high-banking coaster that kicks off from the starting gate at full speed.

SCREAM ZONE IN ACTION

Sling Shot

Steeplechase

Xenobia