NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Coney Island's amusement park reopened to visitors Friday after an 18-month closure because of the pandemic.
Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park and Luna Park reopened at 11 a.m. after the parks were closed last season.
To kick off the reopening, the park held the decades-old tradition of the "Blessing of the Rides" ceremony on the boardwalk.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Sen. Chuck Schumer were on hand for the festivities.
"This is one of the best days of the year," the mayor said. "Coney Island comes back. The rides come back. And now New York City will come back. You can feel it."
De Blasio tweeted out a photo showing him riding the iconic Cyclone rollercoaster.
The parks' amusement attractions will be open on weekends through Memorial Day. Starting Memorial Day weekend, the attractions will go into a full seven-day operation.
"We can feel how everyone is ready to move forward. We're going to do it together, we're going to do it safely. But we can absolutely feel how the public is excited about coming to the park again," said Ken Hockman, marketing director for Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, told 1010 WINS.
This year, to honor COVID frontline workers, Luna Park announced it would donate 500 admission wristbands to hospital staff from the community and their families.
COVID protocols at the parks will include mask wearing, physical distancing through reduced capacity, controlled admissions both online and at the gate and distanced eating areas and ride seating.
