Luna Park soft opening sees sunny weather and big crowds
Children of Promise, NYC, benefits from Coney Island’s newest tradition
“Please, don’t hurt me. Don’t run me over,” pleaded Luna Park Sales Manager Jeff Klein as he faced the line of families and fun-seekers that extended along Surf Avenue, nearly reaching the corner of Stillwell.
It was nearly 11 a.m. on the first Saturday of April, and Luna Park’s second annual Charity Day “soft opening” would soon see the fairway fill with people from all over the Tri-State region eager to ride Electro Spin, The Tickler, Wild River or the venerable Cyclone for the first time this season.
In keeping with a tradition initiated last year on behalf of the Girls Scouts of America, the Coney Island park offered free admission to anyone who donated $10 to this year’s charity: Children of Promise, NYC. The Brooklyn-based nonprofit is dedicated to supporting children with parents who are incarcerated, with an eye toward breaking the cycle of imprisonment.