Coney Island

The beach and boardwalk at Coney Island, N.Y., Aug. 29, 2007. The Brooklyn beachfront has been an escape for generations of New Yorkers.

A giant sign welcomes visitors to Coney Island's Astroland amusement park, July 13, 2007. In recent years, the redevelopment of Coney Island has been on an endless, roller-coaster ride into the future, amid bickering involving a developer, city officials and ride operators. But now, the owner of Astroland Park threatens to shut down if the owner of the land land on which the park sits, doesn't agree to a two-year lease.

The Wonder Wheel is among the amusement park's many iconic attractions. The Astroland amusement park opened in 1962.

GETTY IMAGES/Mario Tama

Teenagers play at Coney Island on July 13, 2007. A developer who owns 11 acres of Coney Island wants to break ground in 2009, on a $1.5 billion complex that includes high-rise hotels, retail stores, movie theaters, an indoor water park and New York's first new roller coaster since the now-landmarked Cyclone was built of wood 75 years ago.

In recent years, Coney Island has been revitalized by the opening of KeySpan Park, home to the successful Brooklyn Cyclones minor league baseball team.

Nathan's Famous original hot dog stand opened on Coney Island in 1916 and quickly became a landmark. Local legend has it that restaurateur Charles Feltman invented the hot dog in Coney Island in 1874.

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A couple in period dress stand beneath the Cyclone roller coaster at the opening of a new museum celebrating the history of Coney Island on May 31, 2007. An official New York City Landmark since July 12, 1988, the Cyclone was listed in the New York State Register of Historic Places on June 31, 1991. National Historic Landmark status followed on June 26, 1991.

AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams

When people think of Coney Island, they automatically think of the Nathan's hot dog eating contest that happens every Fourth of July. In 2007, Joey Chestnut of San Jose, Calif., won. With its beach and historic Astroland amusement park, Coney Island has been a getaway for New York City residents for more than 100 years.

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Coney Island's boardwalk is another famous landmark, but has fallen into disrepair. The area was a major resort and site of amusement parks that reached its peak in the early 20th century. It declined in popularity after World War II and endured years of neglect.

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The Wonder Wheel at Astroland amusement park rises above buildings for lease. The ride has been attracting visitors to the park since 1920.

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Revelers participate in the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade on June 23, 2007, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Mermaid Parade celebrates the sea and the start of summer.

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Jenny Campbell sits on the boardwalk following the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade on June 23, 2007, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.