Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Misc

Video of the Day: Matt Dillon Looks Back at Coney Island's Wild Rides


By

Jen Carlson

Published Sep 20, 2007

Modified Mar 7, 2008


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Carlson

Published Sep 20, 2007

Modified Mar 7, 2008


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

In 1982 Matt Dillon hosted a film on the history of the amusement park (in particular roller coasters) called Wild Rides. He discusses a lot of the Coney Island rides, and there's some great old footage -- check out that "human pool table"! We'd be interested in seeing some numbers on how many people got injured on rides during this time.

There are also some shots of Steeplechase Park which opened in 1897, we wonder if the proposed new one will include a real steeplechase ride.

Tagged

coney island

film

history

Matt Dillon

parks

people

Steeplechase Park

videos

wild


Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE miscellaneous

We visited 8 laundromats to talk about voting and elections. Here's what people had to say.

As we inch closer to Election Day in November, WNYC is turning some laundromats in the New York metro area into hubs of civic dialogue.

By

Jodi Malarbe

and

George Bodarky

Published Jun 23, 2024


Aging with Pride: LGBTQ+ older adults share their personal journeys

As we mark Pride month, LGBTQ+ older adults share their struggles, triumphs and advice for today’s generations.

By

George Bodarky

Misc

Aging with Pride: LGBTQ+ older adults share their personal journeys

As we mark Pride month, LGBTQ+ older adults share their struggles, triumphs and advice for today’s generations.

By

George Bodarky


Hands in the dirt: Meet some of NYC's community gardeners

By

Enrico Denard

and

George Bodarky

'In the very, very beginning, it was about 3 feet of garbage': How NYC’s first community garden got started

By

George Bodarky

Serving up BBQ ribs and a deep sense of community in the South Bronx since 1954

By

George Bodarky


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .