History of Coney Island in Timeline

Coney Island is a neighborhood and entertainment area located in Brooklyn, New York City, bounded by Brighton Beach, Lower New York Bay, and Gravesend. It also encompasses Sea Gate. The Coney Island peninsula includes Coney Island, Sea Gate, Brighton Beach, and Manhattan Beach. Originally an Outer Barrier island of Long Island, it was connected to the mainland via landfill in the early 20th century.

1901: Brooklyn Public Library Branch Opening

In 1901, the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL)'s Coney Island branch opened at 1901 Mermaid Avenue.

1902: Sea Lion Park Closes

In 1902, Sea Lion Park, the first amusement park to charge entry fees, closed down.

1903: Luna Park Opens

In 1903, Luna Park opened on the site of Sea Lion Park, which had closed the previous year. The park contained a variety of attractions and exotic landscaping, lit by electricity at night; its flagship ride was A Trip to the Moon, an attraction based on Jules Verne's novel From the Earth to the Moon.

1904: Dreamland Opened

Dreamland, one of Coney Island's three major amusement parks, operated from 1904 to 1911.

1906: B&B Carousell Built

The B&B Carousell was built circa 1906-1909 with a traditional roll-operated fairground organ.

1907: Steeplechase Park Fire

In 1907, a fire at Steeplechase Park resulted in the park having to be completely rebuilt.

1909: Horse Racing Outlawed

In 1909, the original resorts lost patronage after horse racing in New York state was outlawed.

1911: Dreamland Closed

Dreamland, one of Coney Island's three major amusement parks, operated from 1904 to 1911.

1911: Coney Island Library Branch Opens

In 1911, the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL)'s Coney Island branch opened as an unmanned deposit station.

1915: Sea Beach Line Upgraded

In 1915, the Sea Beach Line was upgraded to a subway line, followed by the other former excursion roads.

1916: Nathan Handwerker Starts Selling Hot Dogs

In 1916, Nathan Handwerker started selling hot dogs at Coney Island for a nickel each, and eventually expanded his enterprise into the Nathan's Famous hot dog chain.

1917: Construction of Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station

From 1917 to 1920, the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue station, the terminal of multiple subway lines, was constructed as a replacement for the former surface-level Culver Depot.

1919: Stillwell Avenue Station Opens

In 1919, the opening of the Stillwell Avenue station ushered in Coney Island's busiest era.

1920: Construction of Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station

From 1917 to 1920, the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue station, the terminal of multiple subway lines, was constructed as a replacement for the former surface-level Culver Depot.

1920: Wonder Wheel Opens

In 1920, the opening of the Wonder Wheel contributed to the area's quality as an amusement destination.

1921: The Comet was built

In 1921, The Comet roller coaster was built next to the current site of the Cyclone.

1922: Construction of Riegelmann Boardwalk

In 1922, the construction of Riegelmann Boardwalk began. Sand has been redeposited on the beaches since then, and is held in place by around two dozen groynes.

1923: Childs Restaurant Originally Constructed

Childs Restaurant was originally constructed in 1923 and renovated when the amphitheater was being constructed.

1923: The city bought waterfront land and created the Riegelmann Boardwalk and Beach

In 1923, the city bought all the land on the waterfront and created the Riegelmann Boardwalk and Beach.

1923: Construction of Riegelmann Boardwalk

In 1923, the construction of Riegelmann Boardwalk continued. Sand has been redeposited on the beaches since then, and is held in place by around two dozen groynes.

1923: Riegelmann Boardwalk Opens

In 1923, the opening of the Riegelmann Boardwalk contributed to the area's quality as an amusement destination. The Riegelmann Boardwalk enabled the crowds to be dispersed away from Surf Avenue.

1924: Portion of Coney Island Creek Infilled

By 1924, local landowners and the city had filled a portion of the 3-mile-long Coney Island Creek, thereby connecting Coney Island to the rest of Brooklyn.

1925: Shore Theater Opens

In 1925, the opening of the Shore Theater contributed to the area's quality as an amusement destination.

1925: Original wooden Thunderbolt coaster constructed

The original wooden Thunderbolt coaster, located between West 15th and West 16th Streets, was constructed in 1925.

1926: Tornado wooden coaster constructed

In 1926, the Tornado, a wooden coaster, was constructed.

1927: The Coney Island Cyclone opened

The Coney Island Cyclone opened in 1927, and is one of the United States' oldest wooden roller coasters still in operation.

1932: Large Fire at Coney Island

In 1932, one of the largest conflagrations at Coney Island occurred, leaving at least a thousand people homeless.

1937: Robert Moses Publishes Redevelopment Report

In 1937, New York City parks commissioner Robert Moses published a report about the possible redevelopment of Coney Island, which would have entailed the addition of parking lots and reconstruction of part of the boardwalk.

1939: The Parachute Jump was built at the New York World's Fair

The Parachute Jump was originally built as the Life Savers Parachute Jump at the 1939 New York World's Fair, and was the first ride of its kind.

1941: Parachute Jump Opens

In 1941, the opening of the Parachute Jump contributed to the area's quality as an amusement destination.

August 1944: Luna Park Destroyed by Fire

In August 1944, Luna Park was destroyed by a fire.

1944: Luna Park Closed

Luna Park, one of Coney Island's three major amusement parks, operated from 1903 to 1944.

1945: The Comet was destroyed

In 1945, The Comet roller coaster was destroyed.

1946: New Rides Constructed After WWII

In 1946, at the end of World War II, two new rides were constructed at Coney Island, despite earlier delays due to material shortages.

1949: Land Rezoned for Residential Use

In 1949, Moses asked the city to transfer Luna Park's land along the Coney Island waterfront to the Parks Department. Moses then had the land rezoned for residential use, with plans to demolish "about a third" of attractions along Surf Avenue and replace these with housing.

1953: Moses Proposes Rezoning of Peninsula

In 1953, Moses proposed that most of the peninsula be rezoned for various uses, claiming that it would be an "upgrade" over the various business and unrestricted zones that existed at the time.

1953: New York Aquarium Building Approved

In 1953, a new building for the New York Aquarium was approved for construction in the neighborhood.

1954: Coney Island Library Branch Construction

In 1954, another Coney Island Library branch was built, referred to as 'the first-ever library built on stilts over the Atlantic Ocean'.

1954: Construction Starts on New York Aquarium

In 1954, construction started on the new New York Aquarium.

1955: Coney Island Attractions Still Present

By 1955, Coney Island still included four children's amusement areas, five roller coasters, several flat and dark rides, and various other attractions such as the Wonder Wheel.

1955: Proposal to Extend Boardwalk Denied

In 1955, Moses's subsequent proposal to extend the Coney Island boardwalk east to Manhattan Beach was denied. A proposal to make the Quonset hut development into a permanent housing structure was also rejected.

1955: The Oriental Scenic Railway was demolished

In 1955, The Oriental Scenic Railway, created by LaMarcus Adna Thompson in 1887, was demolished to be replaced with a "hot rod" amusement ride.

1956: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Performed

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performed in Coney Island for the last time until 2009.

June 1957: New York Aquarium Opens

In June 1957, the New York Aquarium's new site opened with still several dozen rides in Coney Island.

1957: The New York Aquarium opened

The New York Aquarium opened in 1957 on the former site of the Dreamland amusement park.

1961: Coney Island Population

In 1961, the peninsula had 34,000 residents.

1962: Astroland Opened

Astroland operated at the site of the current Luna Park from 1962 to 2008.

1962: Addition of Fill During Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge Construction

In 1962, more fill was added to Coney Island Creek during the construction of the Verrazzano–Narrows Bridge.

1964: Decrease in Visitors Due to World's Fair

During the summer of 1964, there was a large decrease in the number of visitors to Coney Island because of the 1964/1965 World's Fair at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens. Ride operators reported that they had 30% to 90% fewer visitors in 1964 compared to the previous year. Concessionaires saw their lowest profits in a quarter-century.

1964: Steeplechase Park Closed

Steeplechase Park, one of Coney Island's three major amusement parks, operated from 1897 to 1964.

1965: Visitor Decrease Continues Due to World's Fair

During the summer of 1965, there was a large decrease in the number of visitors to Coney Island because of the 1964/1965 World's Fair at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens.

1965: Trump Plans Luxury Apartments

In 1965, developer Fred Trump announced that he wanted to build luxury apartments on the old Steeplechase property.

1966: Housing Development Boom

By 1966, the peninsula housed almost 100,000 people due to millions of dollars being spent on new housing developments.

1966: Developers Try to Revitalize Coney Island

During 1966, developers tried to revitalize the Coney Island boardwalk as an amusement area. Trump destroyed Steeplechase Park's Pavilion of Fun during a highly publicized ceremony that September. The next month, the city announced its plans to acquire the 125 acres (51 ha) of the former Steeplechase Park, a move that many residents supported but that Trump considered to be "wasteful".

January 1968: State Park Proposed

In January 1968, New York City parks commissioner August Heckscher II proposed that the New York state government build an "open-space" state park on the Steeplechase site.

1969: Condemnation of Steeplechase Site Starts

In 1969, condemnation of the Steeplechase Park site started.

1975: Cyclone Demolition Considered

By 1975, the city was considering demolishing the Coney Island Cyclone in favor of an extension of the adjacent New York Aquarium. The Cyclone reopened for the summer 1975 season after a refurbishment by Astroland.

1975: HUD Grant Nearly Withdrawn

In 1975, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development nearly withdrew a proposed grant of $2 million intended to fund the proposed state park at Coney Island. Ultimately, the city accepted the grant, though disagreements persisted among city agencies regarding whether to return the funds.

1977: Tornado wooden coaster destroyed

In 1977, the Tornado wooden coaster was destroyed by arson.

1979: Gambling Legalization Report and Casino Proposal

In 1979, New York State announced it would conduct a report on the feasibility of legalizing gambling. Mayor Ed Koch proposed opening casinos in New York City, including Coney Island, to boost the economy. This proposal faced substantial controversy.

1980: The Parachute Jump listed on the NRHP

In 1980, the Parachute Jump was listed on the NRHP (National Register of Historic Places).

1980: Kaufman's Operation Ends

Norman Kaufman's operations at Coney Island ended in the summer of 1980. In June of the following year, the city paid Kaufman a million dollars for the rides, effectively evicting him.

1980: The Coney Island Museum opened

The Coney Island Museum, a collection of memorabilia, opened in 1980. It chronicles the history of the neighborhood and charges a $5 admission fee per adult.

1981: Gambling Legalization Fails

By 1981, the state's interest in legalizing gambling had subsided, and the New York State legislature failed to take action on the proposal to open casinos in New York City.

1982: Demolition and Redevelopment Efforts Begin

In 1982, the city began demolishing abandoned bungalows in Coney Island to reduce crime, resulting in vacant lots. The New York City government began advertising for developers to redevelop the former amusement park area after acquiring Kaufman's rides.

1983: Original wooden Thunderbolt coaster closed

The original wooden Thunderbolt coaster, located between West 15th and West 16th Streets, closed in 1983.

1985: Steeplechase Park Rebuilding Proposed

In 1985, Horace Bullard proposed rebuilding Steeplechase Park with a $55 million amusement park based on the original, planned to be located between West 15th and 19th Streets. The city approved the project.

December 1986: Minor-League Stadium Proposal

In December 1986, the New York State Urban Development Corporation formally proposed a 17,000-seat minor-league baseball stadium and a 15,000-seat indoor arena for Coney Island.

1986: Steeplechase Park Opening Delayed

In 1986, the opening of the rebuilt Steeplechase Park was delayed. Bullard had planned to open the park by mid-1986 to coincide with the Statue of Liberty's centennial, but the project was delayed while the New York City Planning Commission compiled an environmental impact report.

1987: Steeplechase Park Cost Doubles

By early 1987, the cost of rebuilding Steeplechase Park nearly doubled to $100 million, causing further complications for the project.

1988: The Cyclone was made a city landmark

In 1988, The Cyclone was made a city landmark.

1988: Cyclone Roller Coaster Designated Landmark

In 1988, the Cyclone roller coaster at Coney Island was designated as a New York City landmark, recognizing its historical and cultural significance.

1989: Contract Ready for Amusement Park Construction

By 1989, Bullard and the city were ready to sign a contract that would allow the developer to construct a 60-ride amusement park on a 25-acre waterfront strip, slated for completion by 2002.

1989: Parachute Jump and Wonder Wheel Designated Landmarks

In 1989, the Parachute Jump and the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island were designated as New York City landmarks, adding to the recognition of the area's iconic structures.

1989: The Parachute Jump was made a city landmark

In 1989, the Parachute Jump was made a city landmark.

1989: The Wonder Wheel became a city landmark

In 1989, the Wonder Wheel was made a city landmark.

1990: Crime rates in Coney Island significantly decreased

Between 1990 and 2022, crimes across all categories in the 60th Precinct decreased by 77.5%.

1990: Commercial Decline on Mermaid Avenue

By 1990, storefronts on Mermaid Avenue had decreased by 90%, from over 400 stores before urban renewal to just 39 afterward, indicating a significant decline in commercial activity in Coney Island.

1991: The Cyclone was listed on the NRHP

In 1991, The Cyclone was listed on the NRHP (National Register of Historic Places).

1993: Crime statistics in Coney Island

Between 1993 and 2010, major crimes decreased by 72%, including a 76% decrease in robberies, 71% decrease in felony assaults, and 67% decrease in shootings.

1994: Giuliani Negates Bullard Deal

In 1994, after taking office, Mayor Rudy Giuliani negated the Bullard deal and approved the construction of a minor-league baseball stadium on the site originally intended for Steeplechase Park.

1996: Housing Development Completed

In 1996, a four-phase, 873-unit housing development in Coney Island was completed, contributing to residential growth in the area.

1997: Entertainment Complex Proposed

In 1997, developer Bruce Ratner proposed constructing a $100 million entertainment complex between West 9th and West 15th Streets, featuring a "virtual-reality amusement park" and a movie theater multiplex.

1998: Sportsplex and Entertainment Complex Canceled

In 1998, Mayor Giuliani canceled Sportsplex and the entertainment complex plans, unveiling a new plan focused solely on building a parking lot, leading to alternative proposals for a scaled-down Sportsplex.

2000: Math Achievement Increases

In 2000, math achievement among Coney Island students was at 53 percent.

2000: Keyspan Park Project Approved

In 2000, the city approved a $31 million project to construct Keyspan Park using funds from the canceled Sportsplex, paving the way for the opening of the minor-league baseball stadium the following year.

2000: Population of Coney Island and Sea Gate

In 2000, the combined population of Coney Island and Sea Gate was 34,267.

2000: Original wooden Thunderbolt coaster torn down

In 2000, the original wooden Thunderbolt coaster was torn down during the construction of nearby Keyspan Park.

2001: Reconstruction of Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station

From 2001 to 2004, the entire Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue station was rebuilt.

2001: The Village Voice held the annual Siren Music Festival

From 2001 to 2010, The Village Voice held the annual Siren Music Festival on Coney Island.

2001: Opening of Maimonides Park

In 2001, Coney Island experienced revitalization with the opening of the venue now known as Maimonides Park.

2001: Maimonides Park opened as KeySpan Park

Maimonides Park opened in 2001 as KeySpan Park, hosting the Brooklyn Cyclones minor league baseball team.

2002: Target Completion Year for Amusement Park

2002 was the target completion year for the 60-ride amusement park on a 25-acre waterfront strip, as proposed in 1989.

2003: Bloomberg Considers Coney Island for Olympics Bid

In 2003, Mayor Michael Bloomberg showed interest in revitalizing Coney Island as a potential site for New York City's bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, leading to the development of a plan by the Astella Development Corporation.

2004: Reconstruction of Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station

From 2001 to 2004, the entire Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue station was rebuilt.

2004: Coney Island History Project began collecting stories

In 2004, the Coney Island History Project (CIHP) began collecting stories of Coney Island from longtime residents. The CIHP records, archives, and shares oral history interviews about Coney Island in multiple languages.

2004: The Coney Island History Project founded

In 2004, the Coney Island History Project, another nonprofit organization, was founded. It operates a space near the Wonder Wheel.

September 2005: Thor Equities Unveils Bellagio-Style Hotel Resort Plans

In September 2005, Joe Sitt, the founder of Thor Equities, unveiled plans for a large Bellagio-style hotel resort with a timeshare development in Coney Island, surrounded by rides and amusements.

2005: Stillwell Avenue Subway Station Refurbishment Completed

The refurbishment of the Stillwell Avenue subway station in Coney Island was completed in 2005, as part of major infrastructure projects in the area.

November 2006: Astroland Sold to Thor Equities

In November 2006, Carol Hill Albert, the owner of Astroland, sold the site to Thor Equities, marking a significant change in ownership for the iconic amusement park.

2006: Elementary School Quality

In 2006, David Scharfenberg of The New York Times commented on the mixed quality of Coney Island's elementary schools based on state testing regimen results.

2006: Zipper and Spider Dismantled

In 2006, the Zipper and Spider rides on West 12th Street in Coney Island were closed permanently and dismantled.

2006: AVP tournament hosted in Coney Island

Starting in 2006, a major national volleyball tournament hosted by the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) was held in Coney Island. The AVP built a 4,000-seat stadium and twelve outer courts next to the boardwalk for the event.

2007: DCP Circulates Rezoning Plan

In 2007, the Department of City Planning (DCP) started circulating a rezoning plan that would cover 47 acres of Coney Island, with the city planning to spend $120 million to redevelop 15 acres into an amusement park.

April 2008: Revised Rezoning Proposal

In April 2008, the city revised its rezoning proposal due to objections from land owners, residents, and developers. Only 9 acres would be used as an amusement park.

2008: Astroland Closed

Astroland operated at the site of the current Luna Park from 1962 to 2008.

January 2009: Rezoning Plan Certified

In January 2009, the Department of City Planning certified the rezoning plan, allowing the city to create a 9.4-acre amusement district in Coney Island.

June 2009: Construction Approved

In June 2009, the city's planning commission approved the construction of 4,500 units of housing, including 900 affordable units, and the city government paid Sitt $95.6 million for 7 acres of land.

2009: A second Dreamland operated for the 2009 season.

A second Dreamland operated at the site of the current Luna Park for only the 2009 season.

2009: New Dreamland Opens

In 2009, a new amusement park named Dreamland opened in Coney Island, replacing the recently closed Astroland.

2009: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performed in Coney Island

In 2009, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performed in Coney Island for the first time since 1956. The event, titled The Coney Island Boom-A-Ring, was housed in tents between the boardwalk and Surf Avenue.

2009: 2009 rezoning

In 2009, the rezoning was announced and the city expressed its intent to demolish the Abe Stark Rink and redevelop the site

2010: Population of Coney Island and Sea Gate

Based on data from the 2010 United States census, the combined population of Coney Island and Sea Gate was 31,965.

2010: The Village Voice held the annual Siren Music Festival

From 2001 to 2010, The Village Voice held the annual Siren Music Festival on Coney Island.

2010: KeySpan Park was renamed after the Municipal Credit Union

In 2010, KeySpan Park was renamed after the Municipal Credit Union (MCU), the city's largest credit union.

2010: New Luna Park Opens

In 2010, a new Luna Park opened in Coney Island, adding another amusement park to the area's attractions.

2010: 60th Precinct crime ranking

In 2010, the 60th Precinct ranked 34th safest out of 69 patrol areas for per-capita crime. Major crimes decreased by 72% between 1993 and 2010.

April 2011: New Roller Coasters Opened

In April 2011, the first new roller coasters in eighty years were opened at Coney Island as part of efforts to revitalize the amusement area, marking a significant milestone.

2011: Thor Equities Target Completion Date

In 2011, Thor Equities hoped to complete the Coney Island project.

2011: Math Achievement Rises While Reading Declines

In 2011, math achievement rose to 72 percent, but reading achievement fell to 55 percent from 57 percent in 2000.

2012: Hurricane Sandy Caused Damage

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused major damage to the Coney Island amusement parks, the Aquarium, and businesses, causing significant disruption to the area.

2012: New York City Lost the Olympic Bid

In 2012, New York City lost the Olympic bid, and the plans were passed to the Coney Island Development Corporation (CIDC), which made modified plans.

March 24, 2013: Luna Park Reopened

On March 24, 2013, Luna Park at Coney Island reopened as scheduled after the damage from Hurricane Sandy, symbolizing the resilience of the amusement park.

2013: B&B Carousell Relocated

In 2013, the B&B Carousell was relocated to Luna Park's Steeplechase Plaza.

2013: Library Rebuilt After Hurricane Sandy

In 2013, the Coney Island Library branch was rebuilt after sustaining damage from Hurricane Sandy.

March 2014: Construction started on the new Thunderbolt

In March 2014, construction started on the new Thunderbolt, a steel roller coaster manufactured by Zamperla.

June 2014: Thunderbolt Roller Coaster Opened

In June 2014, the Thunderbolt steel roller coaster, named after the original wooden coaster, was opened in Coney Island, adding a modern thrill ride to the area.

June 2014: The Thunderbolt opened

The Thunderbolt, a steel roller coaster, opened in June 2014.

May 2015: Coney Art Walls unveiled

In May 2015, Thor Equities unveiled Coney Art Walls, a public art wall project curated by Jeffrey Deitch and Joe Sitt.

2015: AVP tournaments moved to Brooklyn Bridge Park

In 2015, when AVP tournaments resumed in Brooklyn, they were hosted at Brooklyn Bridge Park instead of Coney Island.

June 2016: The Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island opened

In June 2016, the Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island opened on the boardwalk, hosting live musical acts and other events.

July 2016: Childs Restaurant rooftop reopened

In July 2016, the rooftop part of the renovated Childs Restaurant reopened. The restaurant was originally constructed in 1923.

2016: Median household income in Community District 13

As of 2016, the median household income in Community District 13 was $39,213.

2016: Ford Amphitheater Opened

In 2016, a live performance venue, the Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island, opened on the boardwalk, enhancing the entertainment options in the area.

2016: B&B Carousell listed on the National Register of Historic Places

In 2016, the B&B Carousell was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2018: Education Statistics

As of 2018, Coney Island has a college-educated resident ratio similar to the rest of the city. 45% of residents aged 25 and older have a college education or higher.

2018: The New York Aquarium consists of five exhibits

As of 2018, the New York Aquarium consists of five exhibits: Aquatheater; Conservation Hall; Sea Cliffs; Sharks, Rays & Turtles; and Ocean Wonders: Sharks.

2018: Violent crime and incarceration rates in Coney Island

As of 2018, with a non-fatal assault rate of 51 per 100,000 people, Coney Island's rate of violent crimes per capita is less than that of the city as a whole. The incarceration rate of 168 per 100,000 people is about the same as that of the city as a whole.

2018: Community Health Profile of Community Board 13

As of NYC Health's 2018 Community Health Profile, Community Board 13 had 106,459 inhabitants with an average life expectancy of 80.4 years. The elderly population is higher than in other NYC neighborhoods.

2018: Preterm Births and Teenage Mothers Statistics

In 2018, Coney Island saw a slightly higher rate of preterm births (95 per 1,000 live births) and births to teenage mothers (20.2 per 1,000 live births) compared to the citywide averages. Additionally, the uninsured population was at 14%, exceeding the citywide rate of 12% in 2018.

2018: Aquarium Expansion Opened

In 2018, a major expansion of the aquarium opened in Coney Island, enhancing the educational and entertainment offerings of the area.

2018: Poverty and unemployment rates in Coney Island

In 2018, an estimated 24% of Coney Island residents lived in poverty, and 11% were unemployed. Rent burden was 55%. Coney Island was not considered to be gentrifying.

2019: Bumper car rides operating in Coney Island

As of 2019, several bumper car rides were operating separately in Coney Island, including attractions in Deno's Wonder Wheel Park and Eldorado Auto Skooter on Surf Avenue.

2019: NYC Ferry Announces Coney Island Route

In 2019, NYC Ferry announced the western part of Coney Island would be served by the Coney Island ferry route.

2019: Coney Art Walls exhibition held annually

The Coney Art Walls exhibition started being held annually through at least 2019.

2020: Census Data of Coney Island Residents

According to the 2020 census data from New York City Department of City Planning, there were between 20,000 and 29,999 White residents, 10,000 to 19,999 Black residents, 5,000 to 9,999 Hispanic residents, and less than 5000 Asian residents in Coney Island.

2020: CIHP continued to record interviews via phone or Skype

As of 2020, over 370 interviews were available online via the Coney Island History Project Oral History Archive. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CIHP continued to record interviews via phone or Skype.

2020: Coney Island Census

As of the 2020 United States census, Coney Island had around 32,000 residents and the neighborhood's poverty rate of 27% is slightly higher than that of the city as a whole.

2020: Construction Projects Put on Hold Due to COVID-19

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City caused many construction projects in Coney Island to be placed on hold, and businesses and amusement parks either operated in a sharply reduced capacity or did not open at all.

October 2021: Luna Park Expansion Commenced

In October 2021, Luna Park's expansion commenced in Coney Island, marking the continuation of development efforts after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: The naming rights deal with MCU ended

In 2021, the eleven-year naming rights deal with the Municipal Credit Union (MCU) ended.

April 2022: New York state officials announce casino licenses

In April 2022, New York state officials announced they would issue three casino licenses in Downstate New York.

November 2022: Sitt proposed constructing a casino at Coney Island

In November 2022, Sitt proposed constructing a casino at Coney Island to attract tourists to the area.

2022: Crime statistics reported by the 60th Precinct

In 2022, the 60th Precinct reported five murders, 16 rapes, 179 robberies, 373 felony assaults, 159 burglaries, 527 grand larcenies, and 121 grand larcenies auto.

2022: Delay of Coney Island Ferry Route Implementation

In 2022, the implementation of the Coney Island ferry route was delayed indefinitely.

2023: Apartment Buildings Being Built Along Surf Avenue

By 2023, half a dozen apartment buildings had been or were being built along Surf Avenue in Coney Island, signaling continued residential development in the area.

2023: Study on Sinking Rate

In 2023, a study found that Coney Island was sinking at a rate of about 2.6 ± 0.8 millimeters (0.102 ± 0.031 in) per year, making it among the fastest-sinking locations in New York City; this is mainly because parts of the neighborhood were created by land reclamation.

2024: Community Board 11 voted to allow Coney Island to be rezoned for casino use

In early 2024, the nearby Brooklyn Community Board 11 voted to allow Coney Island to be rezoned for casino use. Some residents opposed the casino, which would be known as the Coney.

February 2025: Coney Island West project announced

In February 2025, the city government announced plans for the Coney Island West project. The plans included 1,500 housing units on the peninsula's western end, upgrades to the Stark Rink, and improvements to the western section of the Riegelmann Boardwalk.