Despite a $1.5 million upgrade to its lighting system, the iconic Parachute Jump on Coney Island probably won't be brightening the Brooklyn skyline this 4th of July. In 2008, the always eloquent Marty Markowitz promised that the heap of money would keep the ride "blinged up" into the next century, but that hasn't happened.
The ride—which made its home in Coney Island in 1941 and hasn't operated since the late 60s—has been dark for the past few weeks, and city officials can't figure out why. A Parks Spokesperson told The New York Post that they aren't sure when the lights will be operable again, leaving local merchants disappointed. John Granata, the owner of a food stand on Coney Island, said, "With the lights out, people don't even know [the Parachute Jump] is there at night."
There's bound to be a lot of others disappointed in the lack of lighting come Monday night, so here's a suggestion: Head up to the Bronx (don't pass out during the long train ride from Coney Island please) and watch the NYPD set off all the illegal fireworks they've confiscated.
