Coney Island Post-Sandy: Interior Demolition of Storm-Ravaged Denny’s Ice Cream, Surf Avenue. November 17, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr
One of the first casualties of Sandy in Coney Island’s amusement area could be replaced with mini-golf or a roller rink. Which do you prefer? Over the weekend, while storm-ravaged Denny’s Ice Cream on Surf Avenue was being gutted by volunteers, Coney Island USA founder Dick Zigun asked his followers on twitter: “Miniature Golf or Roller Rink to replace Denny’s Ice Cream? Opinions so far polling 50/50 & no one supports Paint Ball or Spin Art…hmm…”
Last week, word on the street was that the beloved ice cream shop established in 1978 and now owned by CIUSA would become a paintball game emporium a la Shoot the Freak. Replacing the ruined ice cream machines would be too costly for the arts organization, whose Freak Bar and theater next door was also damaged by the storm.
Dick’s new proposals signaled the start of a social media battle between #TeamRollerRink and #TeamMiniGolf. Just so you know, ATZ has added “Artist-Designed Mini-Golf Enthusiast” to our resume. We see the attraction as a quirky new successor to the mini-golf that used to be part of Batting Range and Go Kart City on Stillwell Avenue. There’s no reason it can’t also be a Black Light Mini-Golf with freaky interactive holes and a booth selling Denny’s signature banana pistachio soft serve and other fave snacks. #TeamMiniGolf had this to say….
The nonprofit arts organization bought Dennis Corines’ ice cream shop and building next door to Coney Island USA’s headquarters last March for $1.3 million. At the time, Zigun told ATZ: “Since we own an ice cream parlor and have no money to renovate, Denny’s might or might not continue next year. Even once we renovate the building will maintain a 500-square-foot storefront taking up most of Surf Avenue frontage that will always serve light food to street plus lobby inside.”
“Some day we can transfer air rights from the landmark Childs Building, match the two-story front of Childs then do a setback with an additional five to seven story tower on top of the base,” Zigun noted. The renderings that he showed last year at a Coney Island presentation at the AIA included a whimsical homage to the Elephant Hotel, which in the meantime would make a dandy hole for Mini Golf. Unless of course #TeamRollerRink wins this one…
Related posts on ATZ…
November 21, 2012: Coney Island Post-Sandy: Flooded Spook-A-Rama to Get New Stunts
November 13, 2012: Coney Island’s Eldorado Wins Lease But Bumper Cars Soaked by Sandy
November 9, 2012: Update on Coney Island’s Amusement Area After Sandy
October 30, 2012: Photo Album: Hurricane Sandy’s Aftermath in Coney Island
Amusing the Zillion 
My vote goes for a dark ride, but I am 100% behind and amusement – and mini-golf with a funky Zigun-twist can get people there in the colder months. Go for it, but make it an absolutely lush fantasy land. There’s nothing more depressing than a low-end, low-budget, plywood heavy mini-golf attraction. Look to Castles and Coaster in Phoenix, AZ, for some inspiration. It is by far one of the greatest mini-golf attractions in the country.
Def a black lit fun & spooky mini golf range with artist’s input… Or a golf game with “vanished coney attractions ” including Play Fascination, Crazy Ghosts ,
Etc, etc.
A Roller Rink could be home to Roller Derby Teams!
The center area could serve as a mini, mini golf course, or one could be elevated over the other with set schedules that alternate.
Roller rink…old skool 80’s style …something like what Lola Starr was doing on the boardwalk…very retro, very good exercise, family sessions, couples sessions, midnight sessions for the adults, live dj booth
Roller rink!
Roller Rink! Who cares about mini golf