For the past 95 years, the Coney Island Boardwalk has been a landmark for millions of New Yorkers and tourists alike, but on Tuesday, it officially became a designated city landmark.
“We are so proud to designate the Coney Island Boardwalk a Scenic Landmark,” said Meenakshi Srinivasan, chair of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. “The Coney Island Boardwalk is as much a part of the culture as it is a part of the history of New York City. It is a beloved public space that embodies Coney Island’s democratic spirit and reflects our city’s values of tolerance, inclusivity and equity.”
The Coney Island Boardwalk opened on May 15, 1923, and was officially named for Brooklyn Borough President Edward J. Riegelmann, who was a primary factor in its creation.
Built in three phases between 1922 and 1941, the boardwalk was designed by engineer Philip P. Farley, who also designed the public beach. The Coney Island boardwalk extends for 2.7 miles from West 37th Street in Coney Island to Brighton 15th Street in Brighton Beach.
While an attraction in its own right, the boardwalk enhanced other nearby amusements, including The Wonder Wheel, The Cyclone roller coaster and The Parachute Jump, which were all landmarked in the late 1980s.
“For 95 years and counting, the Riegelmann Boardwalk has offered children and families from Brooklyn and beyond a pathway to the carnival of Coney Island, connecting generations of memories,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, adding that the landmark designation protects “for future generations an institution that defines Brooklyn as a destination unlike anywhere else in the world.”
