If you are a Brooklynite, the go-to place in the summer would be Coney Island. The beach, the boardwalk, Luna Park, the greasy hot dogs from Nathan’s and the nostalgia of the Cyclone and the Wonder Wheel. Although Coney Island had become a tourist attraction in the recent years, outside of the tourist bubble, Coney Island still retains its seedy history as a violent neighborhood.
Although Coney Island is still not crime-free, after being a resident of the neighborhood for the last 7 years, I wanted to show everyone that the violence is only a part of Coney Island’s identity.
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- The Coney Island Subway station. It is the first thing beach-goers see when they arrive in Coney Island. It is usually packed between the months of June and August with people lugging large umbrellas, coolers and chairs. Families and couples would stream out of the trains and onto the platform. Tens of policemen and women would be on-duty during this time just in case riots break out and emergencies occur.
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- On the corner of W20th street is a community garden. Most of the year it is left to run wild, and was completely destroyed during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. However in the spring and summer, volunteers and caretakers would come and grow different crops, giving everyone and the kids a place to educate themselves and keep off the streets.
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- A majority of the population that lives in Coney Island are church-goers. On Mermaid Avenue alone, there are at least four different congregations that go to mass every week dressed in their Sunday best. Whether it is on the sidewalk or on the bus, when passing the church I see people sign the cross in respect of their religion.
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- Coney Island is currently being developed as a seasonal tourist area by the city of New York. They first built Luna Park five years ago, and has slowly added more attractions. Seen in the picture, the white structure is the outdoor stage that is currently under construction. The stage is accompanied by an art center that is being converted from a dilapidated horror house turned roller skate rink. Although Coney Island is being gentrified, poverty is still apparent in the neighborhood.
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- The Coney Island board walk is not just filled with tourists, beach-goers and children; athletes and locals also use it as a place to run and exercise. The sight of runners, bikers and skaters is very common.
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- African Americans are the dominate population in Coney Island. Many perceive the area as violent because of their presence, but that is a misconception. Shown in this picture is a father and his daughter. Before this picture was shot, they were wrestling each other and laughing along with the rest of their family, like no one else existed in that moment but them.
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- Besides African Americans, the other dominate ethnic group are Russians. Many of them living here are of the older generation, like this couple here, taking a stroll on a sunny day. Recently there has been an influx of Chinese immigrants moving into Coney Island. Creating a somewhat awkward mix of fear, curiosity and racism that is readily apparent between all the ethnic groups.
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- Coney Island is home to Surfside Gardens, a collection of housing projects managed by the New York Housing Authority. A lot of crime happens in the projects, which perpetuates the violent reputation that Coney Island carries. Although the projects are “violent” they are not only filled with gangsters. There are many regular families that offer nothing but open arms and delicious soul food when you are in need of some love.
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- There are many playgrounds that are built for the children that live in the large housing complexes, some which are right next to the boardwalk. Many of the playgrounds and ball courts are usually covered in sand. When the sun is out, children are usually screaming and running around with only a older teenager as a chaperone. However once the sky darkens and the street lights come on, kids are ushered home and only silence settle in these playgrounds. The liveliness that was once outside will move into their homes that are 20 feet away.
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- Hurricane Sandy brought torrential rain, wind and six feet waters to Coney Island; leaving the beach in shambles. The board walk was damaged and the pier had to be rebuilt from scratch. This is the end of the beach, where only locals and fishermen are the only visitors. The scenic location had to be closed for repair due to the large rocks from the existing jetty loosening and being a potential danger to beachgoers. It has reopened recently, as repairs are still ongoing four years later.
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- Located at the very end of the beach and hidden behind rocks is the gated community of Sea Gate. It is a privately owned area filled with single-family homes and private beaches. When I first found out about Sea Gate I always found it mysterious, and wondered what was beyond that gate and chain-linked fence. I usually hear small children laughing when I rest on the boardwalk after a long stroll from my home. During that laughter, the only thought that would pop up in my mind would be how we are so close, but at the same time so very far from one another.