angela k Loc: Long Island

I shot this from the car on our way to NJ on the Belt Parkway. I remember as a child going to Coney Island, but never dared to try this ride!!

The Parachute Jump is a defunct amusement ride in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, whose iconic open-frame steel structure remains a Brooklyn landmark. 250 feet (76 m) tall and weighing 170 tons (150 tonnes), it has been called the "Eiffel Tower of Brooklyn".[2][3]

It was originally built for the 1939 New York World's Fair in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Queens,[4] and moved to its current site, then part of the Steeplechase Park amusement park, in 1941. It is the only portion of Steeplechase Park still standing today. The ride ceased operations in 1964, when the park shut down for good.

The ride was based on functional parachutes which were held open by metal rings throughout the ascent and descent. Twelve cantilevered steel arms sprout from the top of the tower, each of which supported a parachute attached to a lift rope and a set of surrounding guide cables. Riders were belted into a two-person canvas seat hanging below the closed chute, then hoisted to the top, where a release mechanism would drop them, the descent slowed only by the parachute. Shock absorbers at the bottom, consisting of pole-mounted springs, cushioned the landing. Each parachute required three cable operators, keeping labor expenses high.

(Download)

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

What a great piece of amusement park history...glad it's still there...good one!

psalom

did this once, the scariest ride I've ever been on.... the pause at the top before it dropped you was the scariest thing..... u could literally see for miles... but when it released you the initial descent was terrifying until the chute opened and slowed you down

Rob48 Loc: Portland, ME

Great art deco, Angela; great narrative as well.

James56 Loc: Nashville, Tennessee

Beautiful work Angela. Nice job on posting some interesting info too. Most of the amusement parks I visited as a kid are all gone also, so I share your excitement that this piece still remains.

angela k Loc: Long Island

Thanks Bob! I'd love to get right up close to it and take a shot straight up!! This was one of my drive by shootings and I added a layer to it just for some color!
Glad you liked!
:-D

angela k Loc: Long Island

Thanks for the visit psalom... I see it brought back some scary memories!!! lol... I never went on it, but I did go on the Thunderbolt roller coaster... screamed my head off!!
:-D :lol: :lol:

Robert Graybeal Loc: Myrtle Beach

you should try getting out of a plane to do this!

angela k Loc: Long Island

Thanks Rob for your visit and comments!! Thank goodness for copy and paste... I had to google the info!!
:-D

angler Loc: StHelens England

Great shot and PP Angela.

angela k Loc: Long Island

Thanks so much James for stopping by!! I would love to get up close to it, I can just imagine the great shots I could get!! Maybe one day David will agree to driving me there!!
It is a shame that the things we enjoyed are slowing leaving....
:-D

angela k Loc: Long Island

I'll pass!!!

angela k Loc: Long Island

Thanks Jim glad you liked and I enjoyed practicing layering on this one!!
:-D

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Fantastic graphic image, Angela - all lines and cool shapes. Love the soft swirl of color in your background too :) Very original and memorable creation!

angela k Loc: Long Island

Thank you so much Linda for those very kind comments, they mean a lot coming from you!!!
I was surprised I actually was able to capture this since we were on the far right side of the parkway and me in the passenger seat!! I have you know I added a layer to this to achieve the colors in the sky!! ...it's so much fun!!
:-D