As warmer weather rounds the corner, Luna Park employees are preparing the amusement district for a season of thrills, seaside eats and entertainment ahead of their opening day on March 23.
The People’s Playground will come alive in just a few weeks and Brooklynites can expect Luna Park to be at the center of that excitement.
Whether people come to the neighborhood for a ride on the Cyclone or to taste eats from a restaurant on the historic Riegelmann Boardwalk, every effort from park staff is about creating smiles and lasting memories for visitors, according to Alessandro Zamperla, president and CEO of Central Amusement International Inc.
“We want to make sure that the amusement park is always in a better place. Every single year we make the best efforts to do that,” he told Brooklyn Paper. “It’s honoring the legacy. We want to make sure it’s consistent and really paying homage to the great legacy that no one else can offer.”
Luna Park spans much of the boardwalk, starting from the area’s famous wooden rollercoaster, the Cyclone, and ending at the B&B Carousel, with a total of 5o attractions woven between retail shops, carnival-style games and dining spots.
“You can’t beat it. You are in front of the Atlantic Ocean with the beach and in the background you have the greatest city in the world,” Zamperla said. “That emotion is really just something that connects and just gives the best experience.”
Park admission is free, allowing guests to experience the energy of the area before purchasing tickets for rides or games. This season, visitors will also see a few new additions, like a pedestrian plaza off of West 15th Street and a new race car attraction expected to open up this May.
“There’s a lot going on in the world so for us to actually be able to create a safe safe for human connection is just an amazing blessing,” he said. “Not just for us but really for everyone in the community and New York overall.”
Luna Park officially opens on Saturday, March 23, with its traditional egg cream christening of the Cyclone and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park scheduled for March 24. The first 97 visitors will get a free ride on the historic coaster, to mark it turning 97 years old this year.
Last November, Luna Park opened during the winter for the first time in its 120-year history, drawing thousands to see holiday lights, sip hot cocoa and sing along with carolers.
