On Thursday, May 21, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined New York City Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Brooklyn Borough Parks Commissioner Julius Spiegel, elected officials, community leaders and 4th graders from PS 90 to cut the ribbon for another great summer season at Coney Island.

“Why drive to somewhere outside the city to fulfill your family’s summer entertainment needs?” said BP Markowitz. “Who needs Six Flags when you’ve got the world-famous Cyclone? Spend a fortune on a theme park? Fuhgeddaboudit! This summer, like every summer, belongs to Coney Island—America’s Favorite Playground and the ‘apple’ of this city’s eye.”

On May 30, Coney Island will welcome more than 10,000 runners as they cross the finish line of the New York Road Runners Brooklyn Half-Marathon Grand Prix Presented by Continental Airlines: Brooklyn.

From NYC Park Department Release:

New York City’s beaches will officially open this Saturday, May 23, and lifeguards will be on duty between 10:00am to 6:00pm. Swimming is strictly prohibited at all other times. Beaches will remain open through Labor Day weekend.

For more than 85 years, Coney Island Beach and the Riegelmann Boardwalk have been a source of timeless enjoyment for millions of visitors. They remain an unparalleled destination for summer fun, people-watching, scenic ocean views and exquisite breezes. Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk have seen several major improvements over the past few years, including boardwalk reconstructions, cast-iron streetlights, performance pavilions, comfort stations, information kiosks, playgrounds, a fitness cove, volleyball courts and brightly painted trash receptacles from the “Boardwalk Barrels of Fun” competition.