Under Coney Island Boardwalk: Sharks, Shadows, Shafts of Light

Always wondered what life is really like under the Coney Island Boardwalk, but never wanted to risk a dirty syringe in the foot to find out? Photographer Nathan Kensinger (friend of Gothamist) recently tied up his combat boots and went exploring down there for the benefit of all. What he found was just what you'd expect: rusty urban flotsam and jetsam, homeless living in tents, and poetic shafts of light. Oh, and a prop shark that one Kinetic Carnival commenter alleges was stolen last fall from the Surf & Turf Grill on Surf Avenue. Well, guess we can close the file on that one! Nice work, Kensinger.

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By John Del Signore in News on March 13, 2009 5:26 PM

Comments [rss]

Amanda Harletsch

is that first pic a public school for Coney Island kids?

bornbrednewyorker

How did he photographer actually get under there? They covered piled sand to cut off access years ago! When I was a kid there were actually businesses under the boardwalk, umbrella rentals, cold soda, food and such.

matty

this post makes me want to barf with all the talk of dirty syringes. jesus.

ides_of_march

I hope the intrepid photographer remembered to get a tetanus shot before going down there.

ides_of_march

Interesting.

Nice work.

Bozack

I went down there a few years ago and high-tailed out of there when a mentally disturbed man started moaning and running toward me. There are tons of little knick-knacks under there.

charlesbklyn

These are great pictures. I was recently down in Coney Island, and for all those who want to see the OLD NEW YORK of the 1970s-1980s (and understand the perspective and circumstances of those who grew-up here in that era), go see Coney Island now!
For in a year or two, this Coney Island, from the glorious amusement park of the 40's, to the deterioration in the 1970s, to the unique Brooklyn icon of the 80s (Mermaid Parade), will be forever gone. And for those who cannot get down to CI, there is always the movie The Warriors (1979).

blablanyc

Did you spot any Coney Island whitefish?

neillevine

Obviously, the neighborhood can use development. A big issue, in my humble opinion, however, would be whether the City raises revenues or, as they usually do, find endless ways to spend it.

It is cold and dreary down here in the winter, but the current crew at City Hall does not seem to understand that.

neil

abbrown

Is this what it looks like under Disney World?

NannyState

Could be: Disney World was actually built on a massive concrete platform so all the guts and service tunnels of that disreputable "entertainment" operation could be both convenient to the venues as well as hidden from all the starry-eyed Taiwanese children.

babyhitler

It's the lost city of Rapelantis

babyhitler

It's the lost city of Rapelantis

babyhitler

so damn creepy. Makes my hair stand on end. I'd go if I had access to a bulletproof vest, chastity belt, Industrial military boots and a whole lot of CK cologne and some booster shots.