City Saves Astroland Rocket
Landmark will be relocated to new Coney Island park
Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 | Updated 6:58 PM EDT
WNBC
The Astroland Rocket will stay near its original home.
All is well with the Astroland Rocket.
Its future was uncertain when Coney Island closed last year, as many wondered what would become of the 71-foot, 14,000-pound landmark.
For now, it's headed to a city-owned facility on Staten Island, but thanks to city officials, it will return to its permanent home back at Coney Island.
City leaders said Wednesday that they look forward to keeping the landmark close to its original home.
"As we move forward and put in place a redevelopment and revitalization plan that will create an even better future for Coney Island’s amusement district, we want to preserve, and enhance her past," Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert C. Lieber said in a statement.
"Coney Island is the people’s playground and the Astroland Rocket is its symbol of the adventure, discovery and fun that have brought New Yorkers here for years."
The Rocket was donated by Carol Hill Albert and Jerry Albert, whose family owned and operated the park for nearly 50 years until it closed last year.
"This one-of-a-kind Rocket simulator was the very first ride to arrive at Astroland Park when it was founded by my late father-in-law Dewey Albert in 1962," Carol Hill Albert said. "My husband Jerome and myself are donating this in his honor and on behalf of the Coney Island History Project."
