CONEY ISLAND, Brooklyn (PIX11) — For the first time since last summer, your weekend plans can include roller coasters and games on the boardwalk.
Visitors arrived at the gates for opening day at Luna Park around noon on Friday to find some new sights and sounds. Luna Park expanded to 15 acres with two new rides. A roller coaster and water ride thrilled people on the first day. The area had been a vacant lot for decades.
“I love Coney Island,” said Joshua Gold.
Gold said he liked the corkscrew on the new roller coaster, known as Tony’s express while Leti’s Treasure was already creating a splash.
“It’s so wonderful to be out here and to be a part of this. A thrill with the gush of water above you,” said Robert Galletta, who enjoys as cold dip as a Coney Island Polar Bear member.
Coney Island businesses are also ready to go.
“We’ve been seeing tourists already come out. With the park openings, it brings out even more people,” said Maya Miller, owner of Brooklyn Beach Shop on the boardwalk.
Alessandro Zamperla runs her family’s business and wants everyone to feel at home at Luna Park.
“We preserve the past and embrace it, and keep improving, and bring in innovation,” he said.
On Sunday, Coney Island officially hosts opening ceremonies. Some free rides will be available to the first visitors. It will also be donation day at Luna Park. Last year, Zamperla said proceeds from the day raised $90,000 for three children’s charities in Brooklyn.
Luna Park will be open daily during spring break, from April 7 through April 16, and every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until Memorial Day. After that, the park will be open daily until Labor Day.
Admission is free and rides start at $3. For more information about the park, visit the website.
PIX11’s Mira Wassef contributed to this report.
