The text came from my niece to the family group chat: Coney Island would be closing for good on December 31, 2023. MEMI (The group that owns the Cincinnati Symphony and Riverbend to name a few) bought the world’s largest recirculating pool and the entire park with plans to tear it all down and make a big entertainment venue or something. Plans are actually vague.
This recollection is from the last time I swam there in 2014. It brought back a whirlwind of memories. Mostly working in the deli grill, my first job at 15? Maybe 16. Anyway, everyone else from school worked at in parking and read books all summer while we toiled away behind the counter serving folks burgers and sandwiches and refilling member cups with ice and water.
It was thankless, messy and I wouldn’t trade those memories for the world.
Back to this day, the funnest moment was watching a gust of wind spirit a float up into the blue sky!
Posted December 17, 2023
