City Council unanimously adopts resolution to landmark Coney Island Boardwalk

July 15, 2016 Meaghan McGoldrick
Share this:

The Coney Island Boardwalk has gotten a little more love — with the goal of ensuring that it is preserved for future generations to enjoy.

The City Council has unanimously adopted a resolution penned by Coney Island Councilmember Mark Treyger that calls on the Landmarks Preservation Commission to designate the Coney Island Riegelmann Boardwalk – first opened in 1923 – a scenic landmark.

The resolution, originally introduced to the City Council in early February, was co-sponsored by Councilmember Chaim Deutsch, and – since its inception – has garnered the support of electeds serving in other capacities, such as Public Advocate Letitia James, Congressmember Hakeem Jeffries, City Comptroller Scott Stringer and Borough President Eric Adams, among others.

Landmark designation would officially recognize the nearly-century old stretch of wood as one of Southern Brooklyn’s historic locations, while also providing a layer of protection and an opportunity for local residents to weigh in on the future of the Boardwalk.

The request for designation was first filed in December of 2014 by both Treyger and Coney Island historian Charles Denson.

“The iconic Coney Island Riegelmann Boardwalk is not just a symbol of Coney Island and Southern Brooklyn, but one synonymous with New York City,” said Treyger, urging residents to utilize the hashtag #LandmarkTheBoardwalk on social media. “Millions have walked the Boardwalk’s wooden planks for nearly a century, forging the legend of one of our city’s best-known cultural touchstones. I believe we must preserve this legend, this symbol so that our children, their children and millions of others who visit our great city in the years ahead will be able to walk those same wooden planks and create their own memories, as well.”

“The City Council has sent a loud and undeniable statement of support for the landmarking of this iconic structure,” added Adams, “and it is time overdue that the Landmarks Preservation Commission does its duty and makes the desired designation a reality.”

The Riegelmann Boardwalk stretches just over two and a half miles from West 37th Street at the border of Coney Island and Sea Gate to Brighton 14th Street in Brighton Beach.

The City Council’s vote comes on the heels of a May 4 Land Use Committee meeting in which a number of South Brooklyn residents showed up to testify in favor of the landmarking.





Leave a Comment


Leave a Comment