Coney Island

For other uses, see Coney Island (disambiguation).

Coney Island
Neighborhood
Coney Island beach, amusement parks, and high-rises, as seen from the pier in June 2016
Coney Island beach, amusement parks, and high-rises, as seen from the pier in June 2016
Nickname: 
"Playground of the World"[1]
Map
Location in New York City
Note: red area overlaps with Sea Gate.
Coordinates: 40°34′30″N 73°58′57″W / 40.5750°N 73.9825°W / 40.5750; -73.9825
Country United States
State New York
CityNew York City
BoroughBrooklyn
Community DistrictBrooklyn 13[2]
Settled17th century
Founded byDutch settlers
Area
 • Total1.790 km2 (0.691 sq mi)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total24,711
 • Density14,000/km2 (36,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
11224
Area code718, 347, 929, and 917

Coney Island is a neighborhood and entertainment area in the southwestern section of the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The neighborhood is bounded by Brighton Beach to its east, Lower New York Bay to the south and west, and Gravesend to the north and includes the subsection of Sea Gate on its west. More broadly, the Coney Island peninsula consists of Coney Island proper, Brighton Beach, and Manhattan Beach. This was formerly the westernmost of the Outer Barrier islands on the southern shore of Long Island, but in the early 20th century it became connected to the rest of Long Island by land fill.

The origin of Coney Island's name is disputed, but the area was originally part of the colonial town of Gravesend. By the mid-19th century it had become a seaside resort, and by the late 19th century, amusement parks had also been built at the location. The attractions reached a historical peak during the first half of the 20th century. However, they declined in popularity after World War II and, following years of neglect, several structures were torn down. Various redevelopment projects were proposed for Coney Island in the 1970s through the 2000s, though most of these were not carried out.[3] The area was revitalized with the opening of the venue now known as Maimonides Park in 2001 and several amusement rides starting in the 2010s.

Coney Island had around 32,000 residents as of the 2010 United States Census. The neighborhood is ethnically diverse, and the neighborhood's poverty rate of 27% is slightly higher than that of the city as a whole.

Coney Island is part of Brooklyn Community District 13, and its primary ZIP Code is 11224.[2] It is patrolled by the 60th Precinct of the New York City Police Department.[4] Fire services are provided by the New York City Fire Department's Engine 245/Ladder 161/Battalion 43 and Engine 318/Ladder 166.[5] Politically, Coney Island is represented by the New York City Council's 47th District. The area is well served by the New York City Subway and local bus routes, and contains several public elementary and middle schools.

  1. ^ Denson, Charles (2002). Coney Island: Lost and Found. Berkeley, California: Ten Speed Press. ISBN 9781580084550.
  2. ^ a b "NYC Planning | Community Profiles". communityprofiles.planning.nyc.gov. New York City Department of City Planning. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Denson 2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYPD 60th Precinct was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference fdny-locs was invoked but never defined (see the help page).