Remaining Playland Letters Saved by the Coney Island History Project. February 14, 2013. Photo © Coney Island History Project
The demolition of Coney Island’s Playland Arcade got underway in October, but was interrupted by Sandy. The job was finished today. It’s gone!
Charles Denson of the Coney Island History Project managed to save the remaining letters on the facade– L, N and D– and several of the whimsical yet deteriorating murals. “Our previous efforts at preservation were hampered by trespassers, vandals, black mold, the untimely death of Playland’s caretaker, Andy Badalamenti, as well as Superstorm Sandy,” according to a photo album on the History Project’s Facebook page. The artifacts will be exhibited this season.
An arcade existed in the Playland building from the 1930s until 1981, operated by four sets of brothers over a fifty year period. In 1981 the arcade machines were auctioned and the business closed, leaving Playland vacant for the past thirty years.
Related posts on ATZ…
October 23, 2012: Playland Arcade Demolition Under Way in Coney Island
Janaury 31, 2012: Remnant of Under Boardwalk Bar Found in Coney Island
Janaury 16, 2012: Photo of the Day: Signs of Coney’s Club Atlantis Resurface
January 19, 2010: Nathan Slept Here! Coney Island’s Feltman’s Kitchen Set for Demolition
Two years ago this week, a Nor’easter knocked down the wood covering the front entrance, here is a video I shot that day.
I heard Andy speak that at one time, he wanted to use this building as a workplace to help repair the Thunderbolt. Of course he never got his chance as the city knocked down the coaster back in 2000 (or so)
thank you mr.d for doing what comes naturally to preserve what remains. i just wish others would see it this way1
Already two years ago!