Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk

CITY HALL IN YOUR BOROUGH: NYC PARKS ANNOUNCES $114.5 MILLION IN FUNDING TO BEGIN PHASED RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ICONIC RIEGELMANN BOARDWALK IN CONEY ISLAND

NYC Parks Commissioner Gabrielle Fialkoff today joined City Council Member Mark Treyger to announce that Mayor Bill de Blasio has allocated $114.5 million to begin the phased reconstruction of the historic Riegelmann Boardwalk in Coney Island. The project will kick off the boardwalk’s first comprehensive redesign since it was first built in the 1920s. Under the de Blasio administration, the City has invested nearly $200 million to improve the Coney Island neighborhood.

“There are few places as iconic and intrinsic to the spirit of New York City as Coney Island. For generations, it has been the destination for those seeking sun, surf, sand and of course the thrilling rides and delicious eats that line the boardwalk,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Gabrielle Fialkoff. “Its history is too important, and now its future will be secured. Thanks to $114.5 million in funding from Mayor Bill de Blasio, we are proud to announce our plan to begin building a more resilient, sustainable boardwalk that protects the people and businesses that rely on it as part of their livelihood and lifestyle.”

“A vibrant Coney Island Amusement District continues to draw New Yorkers to this historic playground on the ocean,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Rachel Loeb. “The City’s continued commitment to upgrades will keep the historic Boardwalk a fun and popular spot for future generations to make memories.”

"The Riegelmann Boardwalk — named for a former borough president — is an iconic location that has drawn visitors from all over the world for decades. For many Brooklynites, Coney Island is their summer getaway, where they come to unwind and spend time with friends and family. After securing its status as an official scenic landmark, I am thrilled that the City is finally allocating funding to secure its future, and ensure it receives the needed resiliency upgrades to maintain it as an international destination for decades to come. I thank Council Member Mark Treyger, who has been a relentless advocate for the Coney Island community throughout his time on the Council, and all our local activists for their leadership on this issue," said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

"I’m proud to have led efforts to landmark this iconic structure as well as passing legislation to prohibit large unauthorized vehicle use on it. With this funding, we will be able to better preserve and maintain this Southern Brooklyn treasure for generations to come. I’ve always felt that efforts to increase resiliency and preservation of the historic features of the boardwalk go hand in hand and I look forward to additional support to improve the boardwalk under a lens of equity where support is most needed, especially in the west end of Coney Island," said Council Member Mark Treyger (Coney Island/Gravesend/Sea Gate/Bensonhurst).

The plan is to reconstruct the 2.5 mile boardwalk in phases, with new piles and resilient materials. Implementing this approach will allow significant portions of the existing boardwalk to be available to the public during construction. At this time, only the first phase of the reconstruction is funded. The specific section of the boardwalk to be reconstructed will be determined in consultation with engineers and designers, prioritizing parts of the boardwalk that are in greatest need.

Upon its completion, the reconstructed boardwalk will feature new concrete structural elements (piles, pile caps, planks), new decking, and new railings and furnishings. The work will also help build for the future, with an emphasis on resiliency and sustainability. The project will help limit risk to the larger Coney Island community, including the businesses that line the famed boardwalk’s corridor.

Coney Island is a world-famous tourist attraction with an amusement district and beach, attracting 9 million visitors annually. It is also a culturally iconic destination, known as the birthplace of the American roller coaster and hot dog. Opened in May 1923, the Coney Island Boardwalk provides a wonderful, free place for locals and visitors to access to the beach and seaside. This project will ensure this treasured destination will endure for the next hundred years.