Steeplechase Park#Current status

Steeplechase was created by George C. Tilyou (1862–1914).{{cite web|date=May 22, 2015|title=George C. Tilyou|url=http://www.coneyislandhistory.org/hall-of-fame/george-c-tilyou|access-date=July 14, 2019|website=Coney Island History Project|archive-date=July 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714150818/http://www.coneyislandhistory.org/hall-of-fame/george-c-tilyou|url-status=live}} On his honeymoon in 1893, he and his wife visited the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where he saw the {{Convert|250|ft|m|-diameter|abbr=|adj=mid}} Ferris wheel and wanted to buy it. Since the wheel had already been sold, Tilyou built his own half-size version at Surf Avenue, on Coney Island, which soon became Coney Island's biggest attraction.{{cite web|date=March 1, 1998|title=First Steeplechase Park.|url=https://www.westland.net/coneyisland/articles/steeplechase1.htm|access-date=July 14, 2019|website=Coney Island History|archive-date=July 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714150804/https://www.westland.net/coneyisland/articles/steeplechase1.htm|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Jasmin K.|date=June 6, 2007|title=New York's Beachfront Playground|url=https://nypost.com/2007/06/06/new-yorks-beachfront-playground-2/|access-date=July 14, 2019|website=New York Post|language=en|archive-date=July 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714150805/https://nypost.com/2007/06/06/new-yorks-beachfront-playground-2/|url-status=live}}{{sfn|Reiss|2014|p=114}} After noting that the nearby Sheepshead Bay, Gravesend and Brighton Beach horseracing tracks were very popular, Tilyou added other rides and attractions on the Coney Island peninsula. He came to own several rides, though none were part of a single park. In fact, until the opening of Paul Boyton's Sea Lion Park nearby in 1895, all of Coney Island's rides were separately operated.{{cite web|last=Spellen|first=Suzanne|date=April 19, 2011|title=Amusement Parks|url=https://www.brownstoner.com/history/walkabout-the-b-6/|access-date=July 14, 2019|website=Brownstoner|archive-date=July 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714150805/https://www.brownstoner.com/history/walkabout-the-b-6/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Maeder|first=Jay|date=August 14, 2017|title=Coney Island: How a Brooklyn beach getaway became an iconic theme park|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/coney-island-ride-beach-resort-iconic-theme-park-article-1.795571|access-date=July 14, 2019|website=New York Daily News|archive-date=July 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714150805/https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/coney-island-ride-beach-resort-iconic-theme-park-article-1.795571|url-status=live}} As a result, Tilyou's concessions were originally overshadowed by the saloons on nearby Bowery Street.{{sfn|Reiss|2014|p=114}}

File:Steeplechase ride LC-USZ62-78291.jpg

Steeplechase Park opened in 1897 after Tilyou bought and improved the Steeplechase Horses attraction.{{sfn|Hoffman|2014|p=33}} Steeplechase Horses, manufactured by J.W. Cawdry, featured gravity-pulled mechanical horses racing along metal tracks.{{sfn|Ierardi|2001|p=68}} The park covered {{Convert|15|acre|ha|abbr=}}, an area of which Tilyou owned two-thirds outright; the other third was leased from the Huber family. It was located at the western end of Bowery Street.{{sfn|Ierardi|2001|p=68}}{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/playfulcrowdplea0000cros|url-access=registration|title=The Playful Crowd: Pleasure Places in the Twentieth Century|last=Cross|first=G.S.|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=2005|isbn=978-0-231-12724-0|pages=[https://archive.org/details/playfulcrowdplea0000cros/page/39 39]–40}} Steeplechase was approached by a grand stone archway on Surf Avenue to the north, the top of the archway decorated by four stone horses. The inclusion of a gateway, along with a new 25-cent admission charge, were intended to exclude the "seedier elements" and make the park a family destination. Drinking was prohibited, as was gambling and prostitution.{{sfn|Hoffman|2014|pp=17–18}}{{sfn|Immerso|2002|p=56}}

The park included over 50 attractions on its midway alone.{{sfn|Immerso|2002|p=57}} Attractions included novelties such as the Human Niagara, a Venetian gondola-style ride, the Aerial Racing Slide, the Double-Dip Chutes, the Bicycle Railway, a "French Voyage" panorama, and a Wild West sideshow.{{sfn|Ierardi|2001|p=69}}{{sfn|Immerso|2002|p=77}} Tilyou also operated a small steam railroad, a saltwater pool, a ballroom, and the Scenic Railroad coaster by LaMarcus Thompson. Completing the park were scale models of world landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben.{{sfn|Silverman|2019|p=315}} Steeplechase Pier, a pier jutting into the ocean, was built to the south of the park in 1904.{{cite web|url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2583.pdf|title=Coney Island (Riegelmann) Boardwalk|date=May 15, 2018|publisher=New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission|access-date=July 18, 2019|archive-date=June 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628044322/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2583.pdf|url-status=live|page=9}} Tilyou adopted a "Funny Face" mascot depicting a smiling man with several dozen teeth, nicknamed "the Tilly", as the icon for his park. The mascot, which became a symbol of Coney Island, represented the area's wholesomeness and neoclassical architecture combined with its veneer of hidden sexuality.{{sfn|Ierardi|2001|p=69}}{{Cite book|title=Encyclopedia of American urban history|last=Goldfield|first=David R.|publisher=Sage Publications|year=2006|isbn=978-1-4522-6553-7|location=Thousand Oaks|pages=185|oclc=162105753}}{{cite web|url=https://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/37/22/24-steeplechase-face-2014-05-30-bk_37_22.html|title="The Face of Steeplechase" at the Coney Island History Project|date=May 30, 2014|last=Bredderman|first=Will|website=Brooklyn Paper|access-date=July 15, 2019|archive-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709181858/https://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/37/22/24-steeplechase-face-2014-05-30-bk_37_22.html|url-status=live}} Tilyou's personal motto, "Keep 'em laughing", was symbolized by rides with such unconventional names as Whirlpool, Soup Bowl, Human Roulette, Human Pool Table, and Earthquake Staircase.{{sfn|Reiss|2014|p=114}} File:Steeplechase jack 1905.jpg

In 1901, Tilyou visited the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, New York, to find additional rides for Steeplechase Park. He approached Frederic Thompson (no relation to LaMarcus) and Elmer "Skip" Dundy, the creators of the popular A Trip To The Moon ride, to ask if they would bring their ride to Steeplechase.{{sfn|Reiss|2014|p=117}} The ride, an indoor dark ride that simulated a space flight, had been popular in the exposition, and Thompson and Dundy signed an agreement to relocate it to Steeplechase for a year. However, a rainy 1902 season reduced the profits of amusement park operators at Coney Island that year and forced the closure of the adjacent Sea Lion Park. Thompson and Dundy spent $700,000 rebuilding Sea Lion and moved Trip to the Moon to the newly expanded park, now called Luna Park, in 1903.{{sfn|Immerso|2002|p=61}}{{cite web|url=https://www.brownstoner.com/history/walkabout-the-b-7/|title=Coney Island, Part 2|last=Spellen|first=Suzanne|date=April 21, 2011|website=Brownstoner|access-date=July 15, 2019|archive-date=July 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714152407/https://www.brownstoner.com/history/walkabout-the-b-7/|url-status=live}}

Following Luna Park's success, another amusement park on Coney Island, Dreamland, opened in 1904.{{sfn|Immerso|2002|p=68}} At Coney Island's peak in the middle of the 20th century's first decade, the three amusement parks competed with each other and with many independent amusements.{{sfn|DeSena|Shortell|2012|p=147–150}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NDMzBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA24|title=A Coney Island Reader: Through Dizzy Gates of Illusion|last=Parascandola|first=L.J.|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=2014|isbn=978-0-231-53819-0|page=24|access-date=January 20, 2019|archive-date=September 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921021009/https://books.google.com/books?id=NDMzBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA24|url-status=live}} This was attributed partially to the variety of transit options available: by 1904, there were five railroads to Coney Island. Both Luna Park and Dreamland had more expensive attractions than Steeplechase Park. Tilyou countered this by modifying and adding contraptions for his customers, most of which carried an exhibitionist and risque undertone but were nonetheless popular despite their vulgarity.{{sfn|Immerso|2002|p=68}}{{sfn|Berman|Museum of the City of New York|2003|p=32}} The entrance contained the Barrel of Love, a {{Convert|30|by|10|ft|abbr=|adj=on}} revolving drum that threw visitors onto each other. Other contraptions included the Human Roulette Wheel, Earthquake Stairway, Dew Drop, Whichway, and Wedding Ring. All of these rides tossed riders around, often on top of each other, as they were designed under the assumption that men and women wanted any excuses to grab onto each other.{{sfn|Immerso|2002|p=68}}{{sfn|Berman|Museum of the City of New York|2003|p=32}}

File:Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. LOC sanborn05791 025-23.jpg

The success of Steeplechase and other parks in Coney Island inspired Tilyou to create additional amusement parks in the New York City area and elsewhere.{{sfn|Silverman|2019|p=316}} In November 1904, Tilyou announced that he would sell Steeplechase Park to a syndicate of investors for $1.25 million, since he wanted to operate another amusement park in Rockaway, Queens.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33878323/|title=Big Resort Sold|date=November 3, 1904|work=New-York Tribune|access-date=July 14, 2019|page=14|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=January 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112000306/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33878323/big-resort-sold/|url-status=live}} However, the sale of Steeplechase was annulled in February 1905 after $50,000 had been paid, since "defective titles" prevented the syndicate from purchasing some of the land under the park.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33887786/|title=Hitch in Steeplechase Sale|date=February 5, 1905|work=New-York Tribune|access-date=July 15, 2019|page=11|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108150127/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33887786/hitch-in-steeplechase-sale/|url-status=live}} From 1905 to 1907, Tilyou refined Steeplechase Park with attractions such as a miniature railroad, an orchestra stand, the Cave of the Winds, a Fads and Fantasy Building, the Limit Building, and a children's pony track. The Limit Building was short-lived, being replaced by the Monte Carlo Building in 1907.{{sfn|Berman|Museum of the City of New York|2003|p=32}}

In the early morning of July 29, 1907, a fire started in the Cave of the Winds attraction. It spread quickly, destroying most of the wooden pavilions and hotels around Bowery Street; firefighters fought to save Tilyou's house at the corner of Steeplechase Park. The three-alarm fire was extinguished after two hours, but about {{Convert|35|acre||abbr=}} of Coney Island was destroyed. Steeplechase Park bore much of the damage, which was estimated at $1.5 million, but several hotels were also ruined.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1907/07/29/archives/coney-swept-by-1500000-fire-steeplechase-park-and-blocks-of-flimsy.html|title=Coney Swept by $1,500,000 Fire; Steeplechase Park and Blocks of Flimsy Bowery Buildings in Ruins|date=July 29, 1907|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 11, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711133821/https://www.nytimes.com/1907/07/29/archives/coney-swept-by-1500000-fire-steeplechase-park-and-blocks-of-flimsy.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Investigating Fire at Coney; No More Tinsel Buildings|date=July 29, 1907|work=Brooklyn Citizen|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33760417/ 1], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33760426/ 10]|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}} Even though the fire destroyed nearly everything within Steeplechase Park, Tilyou reportedly remained calm throughout, even promising to host events that had been planned in the park before the fire.{{cite news|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/1150218/|title=Geo. C. Tilyou, Stoic, Hero of Coney Island|date=July 30, 1907|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=July 11, 2019|page=3|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108150144/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/1150218/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle/|url-status=live}} The morning after the fire, Tilyou posted a sign in front of the park, which read:

To My Friends: I have troubles today that I had not yesterday. I had troubles yesterday which I have not today. On this site will be built a bigger, better, Steeplechase Park. Admission to the burning ruins — Ten cents.{{sfn|Immerso|2002|p=77}}{{sfn|Berman|Museum of the City of New York|2003|p=33}}

Tilyou continued to add attractions to Steeplechase in the late 1900s and early 1910s. He added the first of several carousels to the park in 1908, and the "World's Largest Swimming Pool" was completed the following year. Tilyou opened a hall with an indoor swimming pool to the west of the pavilion in 1911, at which point he declared that he wanted to add one new ride per week.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33904875/|title=Attractive Steeplechase Park|date=May 14, 1911|work=The Brooklyn Citizen|access-date=July 15, 2019|page=19|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108150326/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33904875/attractive-steeplechase-park/|url-status=live}} Several attractions opened in 1912, including the El Dorado Carousel and other structures salvaged from Dreamland after it was destroyed in a 1911 fire. Around this time, local residents and businesspeople were advocating for the construction of a public beach and boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean.{{Cite news |date=May 2, 1913 |title=All Coney Island Comes to Fight for Boardwalk |page=16 |work=New-York Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34162901/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921021106/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34162901/all-coney-island-comes-to-fight-for/ |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |via=newspapers.com}} The New York Supreme Court ruled in 1913 that the state government could take over a {{convert|633|by|126|ft|adj=on}} section of Steeplechase Park, along the Atlantic shoreline, to make way for the public beach.{{cite news |date=28 Sep 1913 |title=Free Beach Possible at Coney Island Soon: Court Decision Opens Way to Clearing Away of Fences Along Waterfront |page=12 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|575153858}}}}{{Cite news |date=1913-09-28 |title=Holds Tidal Lands Belong to State; Beach at Low Tide Must Not Be Obstructed, Justice Benedict's Decision |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1913/09/28/archives/holds-tidal-lands-belong-to-state-beach-at-low-tide-must-not-be.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |issn=0362-4331}}

{{multiple image

| align = left

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| width = 250

| image1 = El Dorado 1.jpg

| caption1 = El Dorado Carousel, now located at the Toshimaen amusement park in Tokyo

| image2 = Pool at Steeplechase Park LC-USZ62-105303.jpg

| caption2 = Outdoor pool, seen in 1912

}}

In 1914, Tilyou died, leaving the care of the park to his children; Thomas F. McGowan then became general manager of the park. Steeplechase would remain within the Tilyou family until it closed a half-century later. George's oldest son Edward, an 18-year-old at the time of his father's death, constructed a skating rink at Steeplechase in 1915. A Racing Derby Carousel by master carousel builder Marcus Illions was added in 1920, and it featured 16 rows of four horses cycling up-and-down on small tracks within the carousel. Shortly afterward, Edward Tilyou also added "Babyland", a children's play area near the southeast corner of the park.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33906294/|title=Fun at Steeplechase|date=June 19, 1921|work=Brooklyn Citizen|access-date=July 15, 2019|page=1|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108150407/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33906294/fun-at-steeplechase/|url-status=live}} Other attractions built in the early 1920s included the Frolic spinning ride, bumper cars, the Witchway swing, and a Caterpillar flat ride. By the early 1920s, the crowds at Steeplechase and other Coney Island parks had become more mellow and orderly, though the beachfront in general was described as rundown.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33919994/|title=Coney Island of To-day Has Few of the Old-Time Attractions Left and Still Fewer Old-Time Vices|date=June 5, 1921|work=The Standard Union|access-date=July 15, 2019|page=25|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108150327/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33919994/coney-island-of-to-day-has-few-of-the/|url-status=live}} Steeplechase Park started hosting several beauty contests near its outdoor pool, providing more entertainment for park patrons. These included the "Modern Venus" Bathing Beauty Contest, first held in 1922, and Grandma's Beauty Contest, which started in 1932.{{sfn|Hoffman|2014|p=29}}

This period also saw the destruction of some structures, such as the Upside-Down House burning down in 1911.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1911/09/05/archives/house-upside-down-burned-at-coney-steeplechase-park-blaze-draws.html|title=House Upside Down Burned At Coney; Steeplechase Park Blaze Draws Immense Crowd, but Does Only $3,500 Damage|date=September 5, 1911|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 15, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715144808/https://www.nytimes.com/1911/09/05/archives/house-upside-down-burned-at-coney-steeplechase-park-blaze-draws.html|url-status=live}} Additionally, Steeplechase lost its private beach during the early 1910s.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1913/09/28/archives/holds-tidal-lands-belong-to-state-beach-at-low-tide-must-not-be.html|title=Holds Tidal Lands Belong To State; Beach at Low Tide Must Not Be Obstructed, Justice Benedict's Decision|date=September 28, 1913|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 15, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715144807/https://www.nytimes.com/1913/09/28/archives/holds-tidal-lands-belong-to-state-beach-at-low-tide-must-not-be.html|url-status=live}} Following a 1912 lawsuit by New York State against Tilyou and other amusement owners for taking private ownership of Coney Island's beach,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1912/12/21/archives/state-claims-coney-island-contends-in-suit-against-tilyou-that.html|title=State Claims Coney Island; Contends in Suit Against Tilyou That Beach Belongs to People|date=December 21, 1912|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 15, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715144806/https://www.nytimes.com/1912/12/21/archives/state-claims-coney-island-contends-in-suit-against-tilyou-that.html|url-status=live}} a judge ruled in 1913 that the beach actually belonged to the state. An appellate court affirmed this decision in 1916, with an exception made for part of Steeplechase Park, a plot of land granted by the state prior to the creation of the park itself.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1916/07/13/archives/court-frees-coney-beach-appeals-tribunal-holds-occupants-have-no.html|title=Court Frees Coney Beach; Appeals Tribunal Holds Occupants Have No Right to the Land.|date=July 13, 1916|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 15, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716002155/https://www.nytimes.com/1916/07/13/archives/court-frees-coney-beach-appeals-tribunal-holds-occupants-have-no.html|url-status=live}} All obstructions on the beachfront, including a concrete walk within Steeplechase, were demolished in accordance with the ruling.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33905740/|title=Wreck Buildings at Coney Island|date=October 14, 1916|work=Brooklyn Standard-Union|access-date=July 15, 2019|page=1|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=September 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921021123/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33905740/wreck-buildings-at-coney-island/|url-status=live}}

The Riegelmann Boardwalk was opened on the waterfront in 1922.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1922/12/25/archives/coney-boardwalk-opened-to-the-public-fifty-thousand-persons.html|title=Coney Boardwalk Opened To The Public; Fifty Thousand Persons Promenade Near Extension toSteeplechase Park.|date=December 25, 1922|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 15, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517012508/https://www.nytimes.com/1922/12/25/archives/coney-boardwalk-opened-to-the-public-fifty-thousand-persons.html|url-status=live}} In conjunction with the boardwalk's opening, the city slightly relocated West 16th and West 19th Streets at Steeplechase Park's eastern and western borders, respectively, which resulted in a slight expansion to Steeplechase's area.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/10/19/archives/says-tilyou-lost-by-coney-land-deal-frank-d-watermans-charge-of.html|title=Says Tilyou Lost By Coney Land Deal; Frank D. Waterman's Charge of Profits Contradicted by Former Brooklyn Engineer.|date=October 19, 1925|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 16, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716153736/https://www.nytimes.com/1925/10/19/archives/says-tilyou-lost-by-coney-land-deal-frank-d-watermans-charge-of.html|url-status=live}} The boardwalk's opening resulted in increases to real estate valuations at nearby areas, such as Steeplechase Park,{{cite news|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/33919905/|title=Valuations Along Coney Boardwalk Jumped $2,000,000|date=November 1, 1923|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=July 14, 2019|page=1|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108150340/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/33919905/valuations-along-coney-boardwalk-jumped/|url-status=live}} though some lots were also taken from the park to make way for new streets leading to the boardwalk.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20414569|title=Awards $6,139,968 For Land Taken In Coney Street Plan|date=March 11, 1924|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=July 22, 2019|page=3|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=September 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921021134/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20414569/awards-for-coney-land-grab/|url-status=live}} As a result, a former Brooklyn engineer alleged that the Tilyous lost money from the relocation of West 16th and West 19th Streets. The boardwalk's completion and a subsequent widening of Surf Avenue in 1924 prompted Edward Tilyou to make additional improvements to Steeplechase Park. The mid-1920s were described as the "golden age" of roller coasters on Coney Island: two gravity rides called the Zip and the Limit were constructed in Steeplechase Park, and immediately to the east, independent ride operator George Moran built the Thunderbolt roller coaster.{{sfn|Immerso|2002|p=137}} Also built were a water ride called the "Old Mill tunnel of love"{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33919746/|title=Luna and Steeplechase Parks Open the Summer Season at Coney Island|date=May 17, 1925|work=The Standard Union|access-date=July 15, 2019|page=13|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108150440/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33919746/luna-and-steeplechase-parks-open-the/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/59886734|title=Steeplechase Park|date=May 3, 1925|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=July 14, 2019|page=71|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716153746/http://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/59886734/|url-status=live}} and a Noah's Ark-style attraction.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33919835/|title=200,000 Celebrate Day at Coney Island|date=February 24, 1925|work=The Standard Union|access-date=July 15, 2019|page=11|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108150431/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33919835/200000-celebrate-day-at-coney-island/|url-status=live}} Thomas McGowan died unexpectedly in 1927 and was replaced by James J. Onorato. The following year, one of the pools was demolished and replaced with an attraction called Hey Day, while a gas-powered Custer Cars attraction was installed on the boardwalk.

The Great Depression resulted in significantly decreased attendance at Steeplechase Park.{{sfn|Berman|Museum of the City of New York|2003|p=71}} Before money ran out, a one-ring circus was constructed between the Limit coaster and an adjacent pool, while a children's wading pool was constructed. In addition, a carousel was constructed at West 16th Street in 1930, and the Whale and the Whip replaced Noah's Ark the following year. People still came to see the beauty contests at Steeplechase Park. In 1934, when finances slowly started to improve, a bobsled roller coaster model called Flying Turns was installed at Steeplechase.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33921385/|title=Steeplechase Park|date=May 26, 1934|work=The Brooklyn Citizen|access-date=July 15, 2019|page=8|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108150341/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33921385/steeplechase-park/|url-status=live}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4d9oXyOZubIC&pg=PA51|title=The Golden Age of Roller Coasters|last1=Diane|first1=D.W.|last2=Francis|first2=D.W.|last3=Francis|first3=D.D.M.|publisher=Arcadia|year=2003|isbn=978-0-7385-2338-5|series=Postcard history series|access-date=July 16, 2019|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108150433/https://books.google.com/books?id=4d9oXyOZubIC&pg=PA51|url-status=live|page=51}}

Several accidents and fires continued to occur at Steeplechase. A fire in July 1932 caused $1.5 million in damage and injured six people,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/07/14/archives/early-coney-fires-razed-large-areas-dreamland-was-burned-in-1911.html|title=Early Coney Fires Razed Large Areas|date=July 14, 1932|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 12, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712145651/https://www.nytimes.com/1932/07/14/archives/early-coney-fires-razed-large-areas-dreamland-was-burned-in-1911.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33793308/|title=$3,000,000 Fire Sweeps Over Coney Island|date=July 14, 1932|work=Elmira Star-Gazette|access-date=July 12, 2019|page=1|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}} and left at least a thousand people homeless.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/07/14/archives/1000-are-made-homeless-one-of-resorts-worst-fires-razes-section-of.html|title=1,000 Are Made Homeless; One of Resort's Worst Fires Razes Section of Boardwalk|date=July 14, 1932|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 12, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712145943/https://www.nytimes.com/1932/07/14/archives/1000-are-made-homeless-one-of-resorts-worst-fires-razes-section-of.html|url-status=live}} However, Steeplechase Park and Luna Park were not as heavily damaged since the fire was mostly concentrated to the west. There were other incidents as well: in 1933, fifty-seven people were hurt in a balcony collapse caused by overcrowding,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/08/02/archives/57-hurt-as-coney-balcony-falls-bathers-hurtled-to-edge-of-pool-part.html|title=57 Hurt as Coney Balcony Falls|date=August 2, 1933|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 16, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716153739/https://www.nytimes.com/1933/08/02/archives/57-hurt-as-coney-balcony-falls-bathers-hurtled-to-edge-of-pool-part.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33920825/|title=Court Clears Steeplechase in Pool Accident|date=August 3, 1933|work=New York Daily News|access-date=July 14, 2019|page=328|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108150359/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33920825/court-clears-steeplechase-in-pool/|url-status=live}} and three years later, a barge crashed into the Steeplechase Pier. In addition, patrons frequently received minor injuries such as friction burns, though some people were thrown or fell from rides, and one child died after falling off the Steeplechase Horses in 1935. A conflagration in September 1939 caused $200,000 in damage and injured 18 people. The concessions on the boardwalk were destroyed, as was the entrance to the park from the boardwalk, and several attractions within the park itself.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/09/15/archives/coney-area-swept-by-fire-200000-damage-18-hurt-damage-caused-by.html|title=Coney Area Swept by Fire; $200,000 Damage; 18 Hurt|date=September 15, 1939|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 12, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712145700/https://www.nytimes.com/1939/09/15/archives/coney-area-swept-by-fire-200000-damage-18-hurt-damage-caused-by.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33793308/|title=$500,000 Fire Perils All of Coney Island|date=September 15, 1939|work=New York Daily News|access-date=July 12, 2019|page=6|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}} The following year, a new brick concession structure was built on the site of the old concessions, and an Express Train ride was erected in front of the pavilion.File:Parachute Jump on Coney Island.jpg, acquired by Steeplechase from the 1939 New York World's Fair, still stands|alt=The Parachute Jump ride]]

The 1939 New York World's Fair in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, several miles to the northeast of Coney Island, had created competition for Coney Island amusement parks, which saw sharply reduced attendance. Steeplechase's situation was exacerbated by the September 1939 fire, which had destroyed many of the larger attractions, including Flying Turns. After the World's Fair closed in 1940, the Tilyous purchased the fair's Parachute Jump, a parachute tower ride, and moved it to the former site of Flying Turns. The ride, inspired by a training device for paratroopers, opened in 1941 and contained 12 parachutes descending from a {{Convert|250|ft|m|-tall|abbr=|adj=mid}} tower.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/05/31/archives/beaches-crowded-for-the-holiday-all-resorts-in-metropolitan-area.html|title=Beaches Crowded For The Holiday; All Resorts in Metropolitan Area Report Near-Records for Their Attendance|date=May 31, 1941|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 11, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711130459/https://www.nytimes.com/1941/05/31/archives/beaches-crowded-for-the-holiday-all-resorts-in-metropolitan-area.html|url-status=live}}{{sfn|Hoffman|2014|p=30}} The Parachute Jump's installation was part of a reconstruction of an {{convert|800|ft|adj=on}} stretch of the Riegelmann Boardwalk.{{Cite magazine|first=Tom|last=O'Connell|title=Send 'Em Away With A Smile, Is Philosophy of Jim Onorato|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4B8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT30|magazine=Billboard|date=1950-07-15|language=en|access-date=August 11, 2020|archive-date=September 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921021216/https://books.google.com/books?id=4B8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT30|url-status=live}} Other rides were added at Steeplechase in 1941, including rocket cars, a Whip ride, and the Silver Streak. The draft during World War II resulted in a shortage of qualified staff, and Onorato temporarily closed the Pavilion of Fun in 1945 due to the staff shortage. Only 70 people worked at Steeplechase that year, compared to 300 in a normal operating year; the park returned to normal staffing levels in 1946.

Despite the park's popularity with New Yorkers, many factors after the end of World War II would eventually lead to its decline, including frequent fires, low patronage, and white flight.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/north-america/united-states/new-york/articles/coney-island-history-amusement-parks-fred-trump/|title=New York's family funfair spoiled by Donald Trump's dad|date=December 4, 2017|last=Kim|first=Soo|website=The Telegraph|access-date=July 16, 2019|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716002154/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/north-america/united-states/new-york/articles/coney-island-history-amusement-parks-fred-trump/|url-status=live}} Steeplechase's closest competitor, Luna Park, was heavily damaged by a pair of fires in 1944.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1944/08/13/archives/half-of-luna-park-destroyed-by-fire-as-750000-watch-flames-sweep.html|title=Half Of Luna Park Destroyed By Fire As 750,000 Watch; Flames Sweep Over 8-Acre Area and Cause $500,000 Loss in 1 1/2-Hour Battle|date=August 13, 1944|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=July 22, 2018|archive-date=July 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722191350/https://www.nytimes.com/1944/08/13/archives/half-of-luna-park-destroyed-by-fire-as-750000-watch-flames-sweep.html|url-status=live}} Luna Park closed in 1946, leaving Steeplechase as the only major amusement park on Coney Island.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1946/08/18/archives/coneys-oid-luna-park-will-yield-to-new-homes-for-625-gi-families.html|title=Coney's OId Luna Park Will Yield To New Homes for 625 GI Familie|date=August 18, 1946|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=July 22, 2018|archive-date=July 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722193845/https://www.nytimes.com/1946/08/18/archives/coneys-oid-luna-park-will-yield-to-new-homes-for-625-gi-families.html|url-status=live}} Moreover, after Edward Tilyou died in 1944,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1944/06/20/archives/b-f-tilyoij-is-dead-amijsbblqt-figure-manager-of-steeplechase-park.html|title=E. F. Tilyou Is Dead: Amusement Figure; Manager of Steeplechase Park at Coney Island, Which Was' Founded by His Father|date=June 20, 1944|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 16, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716213402/https://www.nytimes.com/1944/06/20/archives/b-f-tilyoij-is-dead-amijsbblqt-figure-manager-of-steeplechase-park.html|url-status=live}} control of the park was transferred to his siblings George Jr., Frank, Marie, and Eileen, who each owned a quarter share in the Steeplechase Corporation. The relationship between the siblings was fractious, and they often argued about Steeplechase's management.

In 1945, the Tilyou siblings leased out the boardwalk carousel to their cousin James J. McCullough. They rented out the pool in 1946; the pool's new operators instituted a season pass scheme that effectively locked out African Americans from using the pool, despite the fact that an increasing proportion of Steeplechase visitors was African-American.{{sfn|Immerso|2002|p=169}} Park officials also discontinued the use of a flat admission fee and began selling tickets at three prices.{{cite magazine |last=Ranson |first=Jo |date=29 May 1946 |title=Coney's Nickel Empire Phfft |magazine=Variety |volume=162 |issue=12 |pages=1, 56 |id={{ProQuest|1285877551}}}} The ballroom was also split in half to create a TV studio in 1947. The same year, the Tilyou siblings discontinued the combination ticket and started offering a pass where patrons could go on any 15 rides for one dollar. In practice, not many people bought the 15-ride pass, since various special-interest groups such as social, political, and religious organizations had designated days where they could visit Steeplechase Park for free. Steeplechase also saw its 20-millionth visitor that year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1947/05/18/archives/season-opens-at-coney-steeplechase-park-welcomes-20000000th-visitor.html|title=Season Opens at Coney; Steeplechase Park Welcomes 20,000,000th Visitor, Girl, 6|date=May 18, 1947|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 16, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716213406/https://www.nytimes.com/1947/05/18/archives/season-opens-at-coney-steeplechase-park-welcomes-20000000th-visitor.html|url-status=live}} The Tilyous added extra rides for the 1948 season, including the Scrambler, the C-Cruise, and several children's rides. Onorato added a "lost kids' department" at the park in 1951 for children who had become separated from their guardians.{{cite magazine |date=Jun 16, 1951 |title='Get Lost' Gets New Meaning |magazine=The Billboard |volume=63 |issue=24 |pages=50 |id={{ProQuest|1040179761}}}}

Steeplechase Park continued its downward trajectory with the demolition of several rides and structures and the neglect of others. The skating rink, now used only for the Tilyous' private functions, was demolished in December 1951. The following year, several structures on West 19th Street were demolished, as was the little-used Old Mill boat ride that ran under one of these structures; the site was filled by a parking lot in 1954. Other impediments included a 1953 flood and fire, which destroyed machinery; the death of the Tilyou siblings' mother in 1954, which caused further acrimony among the siblings; and the underpayment of employees, which was one of the main reasons Steeplechases' employees were mostly elderly citizens who could afford to take such a low wage. The park started becoming profitable again when Arthur Godfrey and His Friends started broadcasting from Steeplechase in 1955. After Steeplechase Pier was destroyed by fire in 1957,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1957/04/23/archives/fire-ruins-the-steeplechase-pier-building-floats-in-flames-to-sea.html|title=Fire Ruins the Steeplechase Pier; Building Floats in Flames to Sea|date=April 23, 1957|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 16, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716213407/https://www.nytimes.com/1957/04/23/archives/fire-ruins-the-steeplechase-pier-building-floats-in-flames-to-sea.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33932396/|title=Dual Probe Launched Into Coney Pier Blaze|date=April 23, 1957|work=New York Daily News|access-date=July 15, 2019|page=430|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=September 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921020956/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33932396/dual-probe-launched-into-coney-pier/|url-status=live}} a larger replacement opened the next year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/09/13/archives/steeplechase-pier-reopens.html|title=Steeplechase Pier Reopens|date=September 13, 1958|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 16, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716213406/https://www.nytimes.com/1958/09/13/archives/steeplechase-pier-reopens.html|url-status=live}} George Tilyou Jr. died in 1958,{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33932396/|title=George C. Tilyou Dies, Coney Island Operator|date=December 27, 1958|work=The Post-Star|access-date=July 15, 2019|location=Glens Falls, NY|page=11|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=September 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921020956/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33932396/dual-probe-launched-into-coney-pier/|url-status=live}} and his sister Marie took over as Steeplechase Corporation president the next year, demoting James Onorato to general manager. Marie, who had long wanted to change Steeplechase's image against the wishes of her brothers, began adding rides for the 1959 and 1960 seasons, such as a Tilt-a-Whirl, a Round Up ride, and a Paratrooper ride.

New York City parks commissioner Robert Moses was a longtime critic of Coney Island, describing the beach as so crowded that bathers had less room than in a coffin.{{cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FBuffalo%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%2FBuffalo%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%25201957%2FBuffalo%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%25201957%2520-%25203502.pdf|title=Coney Isle Fishing For Way to Regain Its Lost Glamour|last=Roosevelt|first=Edith Kermit|date=June 1, 1957|work=Buffalo Evening News|access-date=July 26, 2018|via=fultonhistory.com|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108150401/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2024/Buffalo%20NY%20Evening%20News/Buffalo%20NY%20Evening%20News%201957/Buffalo%20NY%20Evening%20News%201957%20-%203502.pdf|url-status=live}} As early as 1937, he had published a report about the possible redevelopment of Coney Island.{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/improvementofcon00newy/improvementofcon00newy_djvu.txt|title=Improvement of Coney Island, Rockaway and South Beaches|last=Moses|first=Robert|date=1937|access-date=July 26, 2018|via=Internet Archive}} Moses, who was also a New York City housing commissioner, rezoned the area for high-rise housing in the late 1940s.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1949/10/06/archives/public-seen-tiring-of-coney-gimmicks-moses-says-people-are-turning.html|title=Public Seen Tiring Of Coney Gimmicks; Moses Says People Are Turning to Places Like Jones Beach as Against 'Gadget' Resorts|date=October 6, 1949|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=July 22, 2018|archive-date=July 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722185657/https://www.nytimes.com/1949/10/06/archives/public-seen-tiring-of-coney-gimmicks-moses-says-people-are-turning.html|url-status=live}} Subsequently, in 1953, Moses proposed that most of the peninsula be rezoned for various uses, claiming that it would be an "upgrade" over the various business and unrestricted zones that existed at the time. Steeplechase Park would be allowed to remain open, but much of the shorefront amusements and concessions would be replaced by residential developments.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/04/02/archives/moses-asks-coney-island-rezoning-to-upgrade-it-as-residential-area.html|title=Moses Asks Coney Island Rezoning To 'Upgrade' It as Residential Area|date=April 2, 1953|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=July 27, 2018|archive-date=July 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727084805/https://www.nytimes.com/1953/04/02/archives/moses-asks-coney-island-rezoning-to-upgrade-it-as-residential-area.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/54529888/|title=Break Ground for World's Greatest Aquarium at Coney Island|last=Salerno|first=Al|date=October 24, 1954|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|pages=1, 21|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2019|archive-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709184229/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/54529888/|url-status=live}}

At the time, Coney Island was seeing fewer visitors year-over-year. Crime increases, insufficient parking facilities, bad weather, and the post-World War II automotive boom were cited as contributing factors in the decrease of visitors to Coney Island. The start of the 1964 New York World's Fair, also in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, was another factor.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/02/archives/coney-island-slump-grows-worse-decline-in-business-since-the-war.html|title=Coney Island Slump Grows Worse; Decline in Business Since the War Years Has Been Steady|date=July 2, 1964|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731031711/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/02/archives/coney-island-slump-grows-worse-decline-in-business-since-the-war.html|url-status=live}} Ironically, prior to the World's Fair, Steeplechase Park was seeing record high patronage; the highest single-day visitor count, over 18,000 customers, was recorded in 1961. Nevertheless, it also faced problems of its own: a severe assault of an employee in 1961 forced the closure of the Insanitorium, while Marie Tilyou was opposed to her nephew Frank II's proposal to bring rides from the Century 21 Exposition to the park. Further, Steeplechase had been leasing one-third of its land from the Huber family, which decided to sell that land in 1962. More attractions were destroyed in a 1963 fire, which razed two blocks on Steeplechase's west side.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/04/29/archives/fire-razes-part-of-coney-midway-6-amusement-places-near.html|title=Fire Razes Part Of Coney Midway; 6 Amusement Places Near Steeplechase Destroyed|date=April 29, 1963|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 16, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716213411/https://www.nytimes.com/1963/04/29/archives/fire-razes-part-of-coney-midway-6-amusement-places-near.html|url-status=live}} High crime was also rampant; for instance, a mass shooting nearby in 1962 resulted in three people being killed,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1962/09/01/archives/3-killed-and-6-wounded-in-coney-island-gunfight-3-dead-6-injured-in.html|title=3 Killed and 6 Wounded In Coney Island Gunfight|date=September 1, 1962|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 16, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716213408/https://www.nytimes.com/1962/09/01/archives/3-killed-and-6-wounded-in-coney-island-gunfight-3-dead-6-injured-in.html|url-status=live}} and visitors were generally afraid of being attacked by residents of nearby public housing projects. By 1964, the area had seen its lowest number of patrons in a quarter-century. The Tilyou family was paying $120,000 annually in taxes.{{cite news |last=Aronson |first=Harvey |date=4 Dec 1965 |title=Steeplechase Part, once the pride of Coney Island, entertains only memories these days: Echoes of Steeplechase |page=14W |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|915327740}}}}

By the early 1960s, the children of George C. Tilyou were themselves aging; his last surviving son, Frank, died in 1964.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/05/09/archives/frak-s-tilyou-of-coney-island-head-of-steeplechase-park-dies-in.html|title=Frank S. Tilyou Of Coney Island; Head of Steeplechase Park Dies in Arizona at 56|date=May 9, 1964|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 16, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716002156/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/05/09/archives/frak-s-tilyou-of-coney-island-head-of-steeplechase-park-dies-in.html|url-status=live}} The shares of Steeplechase Park were now held by four women—Marie, Eileen, and the respective widows of Frank and George Jr.—all of whom had differing visions for the park. Steeplechase Park closed for the season on September 20, 1964, for what would be the last time.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/21/arts/design/leaps-of-imagination-for-the-parachute-jump.html|title=Leaps of Imagination for the Parachute Jump|last=Chan|first=Sewell|date=July 21, 2005|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=July 6, 2019|archive-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709185442/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/21/arts/design/leaps-of-imagination-for-the-parachute-jump.html|url-status=live}}{{sfn|Immerso|2002|p=172}} Though no official closure announcement was made, rumors of a sale started circulating in February 1965.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33934510/|title=Coney Island to Lose Its Steeplechase Park|date=February 5, 1965|work=Star-Gazette|access-date=July 15, 2019|location=Elmira, NY|page=2|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108150434/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33934510/coney-island-to-lose-its-steeplechase/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=1965-02-05 |title=The Race Is Over At Steeplechase |pages=280 |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123509228/the-race-is-over-at-steeplechase/ |access-date=2023-04-25 |via=newspapers.com {{Open access}}}} Developer Fred Trump bought the property for $2.5 million on July 1, 1965, and announced his intention to build luxury apartments on the old Steeplechase property.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/07/01/archives/steeplechase-park-planned-as-the-site-of-housing-project.html|title=Steeplechase Park Planned as the Site Of Housing Project|date=July 1, 1965|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731031636/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/07/01/archives/steeplechase-park-planned-as-the-site-of-housing-project.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33933720/|title=Steeplechase Sold; Loses Race to the Sands of Time|date=July 2, 1965|work=New York Daily News|access-date=July 14, 2019|page=6|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}|archive-date=September 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921021201/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33933720/steeplechase-sold-loses-race-to-the/|url-status=live}} Though the sale was opposed by the Coney Island Chamber of Commerce, it was consistent with the area's gradual conversion into a residential community.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/07/02/archives/coney-landmark-is-sold-to-trump-apartments-may-rise-in-steeplechase.html|title=Coney Landmark Is Sold To Trump; Apartments May Rise in Steeplechase Park|last=Tolchin|first=Martin|date=July 2, 1965|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 16, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716213403/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/07/02/archives/coney-landmark-is-sold-to-trump-apartments-may-rise-in-steeplechase.html|url-status=live}} At the time of its closure, Steeplechase Park was Coney Island's longest-lasting attraction; it had outlasted the original park's steeplechase attractions by more than a half-century.{{sfn|Reiss|2014|p=117}}

File:ABANDONED "GIANT SLIDE" AT CONEY ISLAND MARKS DECLINE OF AREA'S RECREATIONAL USE - NARA - 547902.jpg

Trump demolished Steeplechase Park's Pavilion of Fun during a highly publicized ceremony in September 1966.{{sfn|Immerso|2002|p=172}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/09/22/archives/6-bikinied-beauties-attend-demolishing-of-coney-landmark.html|title=6 Bikinied Beauties Attend Demolishing Of Coney Landmark|date=September 22, 1966|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=February 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218214508/https://www.nytimes.com/1966/09/22/archives/6-bikinied-beauties-attend-demolishing-of-coney-landmark.html|url-status=live}} At the demolition, he was said to have sold bricks to ceremony guests to smash the remaining glass windows on the Pavilion of Fun.{{cite web|url=https://www.6sqft.com/50-years-ago-donald-trumps-father-demolished-coney-islands-beloved-steeplechase-park/|title=52 years ago, Donald Trump's father demolished Coney Island's beloved Steeplechase Park|last=Schulz|first=Dana|date=May 17, 2016|website=6sqft|access-date=July 16, 2019|archive-date=July 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711153349/https://www.6sqft.com/50-years-ago-donald-trumps-father-demolished-coney-islands-beloved-steeplechase-park/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/39/21/24-trump-steeplechase-2016-05-20-bk.html|title=Remembering the day Trump's dad destroyed a Coney icon|date=May 20, 2016|last=Lynch|first=Dennis|website=Brooklyn Paper|access-date=July 16, 2019|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716213417/https://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/39/21/24-trump-steeplechase-2016-05-20-bk.html|url-status=live}} Trump supposedly destroyed the pavilion to circumvent a landmark law being proposed by the city following the demolition of the old Pennsylvania Station in 1963.{{sfn|Reiss|2014|p=117}} Mechanical horses from Steeplechase Park were sold to a park in Dania Beach, Florida,{{sfn|Reiss|2014|p=117}}{{Cite news |date=1967-04-02 |title=Steeplechase Horses From Coney Island Ride a New Course |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/04/02/archives/steeplechase-horses-from-coney-island-ride-a-new-course.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |issn=0362-4331}} while the El Dorado Carousel was first placed into storage in New Jersey and then sent to Japan.{{Cite news |last=Schumach |first=Murray |date=1969-03-15 |title=Coney Carrousel Going to Japan |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1969/03/15/archives/coney-carrousel-going-to-japan.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |issn=0362-4331}} On part of Steeplechase Park's site, Trump proposed building a {{convert|160|ft|m|-high|adj=mid}} enclosed dome with recreational facilities and a convention center, designed by Morris Lapidus.{{cite web |date=July 24, 1966 |title=A 160-Foot-High Pleasure Dome Is Proposed for Coney Island |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/07/24/archives/a-160foothigh-pleasure-dome-is-proposed-for-coney-island-a-dome.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731031544/https://www.nytimes.com/1966/07/24/archives/a-160foothigh-pleasure-dome-is-proposed-for-coney-island-a-dome.html |archive-date=July 31, 2018 |access-date=July 30, 2018 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite news |date=22 Jul 1966 |title=Plan for a Fun Dome Snarled At in Coney |page=2A |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|915516070}}}} Brooklyn borough president Abe Stark supported the proposal, while the Coney Island Chamber of Commerce opposed the plans, saying the proposed dome was too small to accommodate recreational uses. Trump wanted to build four 30-story apartment towers, with a total of 3,000 apartments, on the remainder of the site.{{cite news |last=Whitehouse |first=Franklin |date=10 Mar 1968 |title=City Insists on Keeping Coney Island a Fun Site: City Against Coney Change |page=R1 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|118229383}}}}

The Coney Island Chamber of Commerce submitted plans to Stark for a {{convert|12.5|acre|adj=on}} resort on Steeplechase Park's site in December 1965.{{Cite news |date=1965-12-04 |title=Chamber Submits Coney Island Plan |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/12/04/archives/chamber-submits-coney-island-plan.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |issn=0362-4331}} In October 1966, the city announced its plans to acquire the former park so that the land could be reserved for recreational use.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/10/05/archives/city-wants-site-of-steeplechase-for-seafront-coney-island-park.html|title=City Wants Site of Steeplechase For Seafront Coney Island Park; Planning Board Sets Oct. 19 Hearing to Bar Area for High-Rise Homes|last=Fowle|first=Farnsworth|date=October 5, 1966|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731031859/https://www.nytimes.com/1966/10/05/archives/city-wants-site-of-steeplechase-for-seafront-coney-island-park.html|url-status=live}} Although residents supported the city's action, Trump called the city's proposal "wasteful".{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/10/20/archives/a-park-is-backed-for-coney-island-developer-who-bought-site-calls.html|title=A Park Is Backed For Coney Island; Developer Who Bought Site Calls Plan Wasteful|last=Roberts|first=Steven V.|date=October 20, 1966|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731031911/https://www.nytimes.com/1966/10/20/archives/a-park-is-backed-for-coney-island-developer-who-bought-site-calls.html|url-status=live}} The New York City Planning Commission rezoned the Steeplechase site for recreational use around 1967. The same year, Trump started leasing the property to Norman Kaufman, who operated fairground amusements on a corner of the site, calling his amusement park "Steeplechase Park".{{sfn|Immerso|2002|p=172}}{{cite web |last=Fowler |first=Glenn |date=June 3, 1979 |title=15-Year Dispute Over Lease for Coney Island Steeplechase Continues |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/06/03/archives/15year-dispute-over-lease-for-coney-island-steeplechase-continues.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915192610/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/06/03/archives/15year-dispute-over-lease-for-coney-island-steeplechase-continues.html |archive-date=September 15, 2018 |access-date=September 15, 2018 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}} Kaufman and his partner Irving Vichinsky operated 53 rides, including three roller coasters.{{Cite news |date=1972-07-02 |title=2 New Owners Take Whirl on Steeplechase |pages=132 |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123510994/2-new-owners-take-whirl-on-steeplechase/ |access-date=2023-04-25 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}}

New York City parks commissioner August Heckscher II proposed in January 1968 that the New York state government build an "open-space" state park on the Steeplechase site,{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Alfred E. |date=January 6, 1968 |title=State Is Urged to Build a Park At Coney Island's Steeplechase |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1968/01/06/archives/state-is-urged-to-build-a-park-at-coney-islands-steeplechase.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731031851/https://www.nytimes.com/1968/01/06/archives/state-is-urged-to-build-a-park-at-coney-islands-steeplechase.html |archive-date=July 31, 2018 |access-date=July 30, 2018 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}} and the New York City Board of Estimate voted that May in favor of funding to buy the land from Trump.{{cite web |last=Bennett |first=Charles G. |date=May 23, 1968 |title=Park Usage Voted For Steeplechase; City to Seek $2-Million Aid to Buy Coney Island Tract |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1968/05/23/archives/park-usage-voted-for-steeplechase-city-to-seek-2million-aid-to-buy.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731031931/https://www.nytimes.com/1968/05/23/archives/park-usage-voted-for-steeplechase-city-to-seek-2million-aid-to-buy.html |archive-date=July 31, 2018 |access-date=July 30, 2018 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}} Condemnation of the site started in 1969. The city ultimately purchased the proposed park's site for $4 million, with partial funding from the federal government. As a condition of the deal, the sale or lease of the future parkland required permission from the New York State Legislature, thus blocking Trump from developing the site as apartments.{{cite web |last=Carmody |first=Deirdre |date=August 5, 1985 |title=Reborn Steeplechase Park Planned At Coney I. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/05/nyregion/reborn-steeplechase-park-planned-at-coney-i.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916055920/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/05/nyregion/reborn-steeplechase-park-planned-at-coney-i.html |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |access-date=September 16, 2018 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite news |last=Mirabella |first=Alan |date=June 2, 1985 |title=A plan to bring back Coney Island |page=311 |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28804609/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108150411/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28804609/a-plan-to-bring-back-coney-island/ |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}}

Trump filed a series of court cases related to the proposed residential rezoning and ultimately won a $1.3 million judgment. After the city acquired the land, Kaufman began leasing the site from the city in 1970.{{Cite news |last=Chambers |first=Marcia |date=1977-04-17 |title=City Requests a Writ in Steeplechase Case |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/04/17/archives/city-requests-a-writ-in-steeplechase-case-but-court-will-not-bar.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |issn=0362-4331}} The city also leased out the boardwalk and parking lot sites at extremely low rates, which resulted in a $1 million loss of revenue over the following seven years. Since the city wanted to build the state park on the site of Kaufman's Steeplechase Park, it attempted to evict him by refusing to grant a lease extension.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/04/03/archives/new-york-after-10-years-finds-plan-to-create-a-coney-island-park-is.html|title=New York, After 10 Years, Finds Plan to Create a Coney Island Park Is Unsuccessful|last=Chambers|first=Marcia|date=April 3, 1977|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=September 15, 2018|archive-date=July 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711032447/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/04/03/archives/new-york-after-10-years-finds-plan-to-create-a-coney-island-park-is.html|url-status=live}} The city government first tried to evict Kaufman by refusing to give licenses to any of his rides, but Kaufman continued to operate rides there, even after one of his employees died in 1974.{{Cite news |last=Lichtenstein |first=Grace |date=1975-01-18 |title=Coney Island Ride Rentals Stir Charges of Corruptim |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/18/archives/coney-island-ride-rentals-stir-charges-of-corruption-eviction.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |issn=0362-4331}} A state judge granted the city the right to evict Kaufman in December 1974 but ruled that Kaufman could stay through the 1975 season.{{Cite news |last=Lichtenstein |first=Grace |date=1974-12-21 |title=City Gets the Right to Evict Tenant in Steeplechase Park |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/12/21/archives/city-gets-the-right-to-evict-tenant-in-steeplechase-park.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |issn=0362-4331}}

NYC Parks was supposed to have devised a plan for the proposed state park in 1969, but it never did so. Under the terms of Kaufman's lease, the city could evict him with 30 days' notice once it had devised a plan for a park. Due to the city's inaction, in 1975, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development nearly withdrew a proposed grant of $2 million for the park. The city ultimately accepted the grant. In early 1977, city officials again attempted to evict Kaufman and force him to pay back rent, but a state judge rejected these claims.{{Cite news |last=Weiss |first=Murray |date=1977-04-19 |title=Attempt Final Hurdles at Steeplechase Park |pages=301 |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123510913/attempt-final-hurdles-at-steeplechase/ |access-date=2023-04-25 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}} That June, the city's parks commissioner suggested that the city would redevelop the original Steeplechase Park's site as an amusement area instead of an open-air state park and proposed that the city return the grant. This move was opposed by the chairman of the New York City Planning Commission, who wanted to use the grant to pay for pedestrian walkways at the Steeplechase site.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/06/16/archives/city-in-a-shift-says-coney-i-park-should-become-amusement-area.html|title=City, in a Shift, Says Coney I. Park Should Become Amusement Area|last=Chambers|first=Marcia|date=June 16, 1977|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=September 15, 2018|archive-date=September 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915192608/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/06/16/archives/city-in-a-shift-says-coney-i-park-should-become-amusement-area.html|url-status=live}}

In 1977 and 1978, Kaufman withheld rent payments to the city because of the ongoing litigation, and he sued the city for $1.7 million. By 1979, Kaufman had expanded his park and had plans to eventually rebuild the historic Steeplechase Park. He had also bought back the original Steeplechase horse ride with plans to install it the following season. Kaufman continued to operate the site until the end of summer 1980. In June 1981, the city paid Kaufman a million dollars for the rides, even though the amusements were estimated to be worth much less than that. However, the city had finally succeeded in evicting Kaufman from the property.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/08/29/nyregion/beleaguered-coney-islanders-rally-with-sense-affection-talk-coney-island.html|title=Beleaguered Coney Islanders Rally With Sense Of Affection; The Talk of Coney Island|last=Campbell|first=Colin|date=August 29, 1981|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=September 16, 2018|archive-date=September 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916060313/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/08/29/nyregion/beleaguered-coney-islanders-rally-with-sense-affection-talk-coney-island.html|url-status=live}}

In the mid-1980s, restaurant mogul Horace Bullard proposed rebuilding Steeplechase Park. He had already bought several acres of property just east of the Steeplechase Park site, including the site of the defunct Thunderbolt coaster and the lots west of the Abe Stark rink, and planned to spend $20 million just on cleaning up the neighborhood.{{sfn|DeSena|Shortell|2012|p=150}} He called for using the property, bounded by West 15th and West 19th Streets between Surf Avenue and the Boardwalk, to build a $55 million amusement park based on the original. The city agreed, and the project was approved in 1985.{{sfn|DeSena|Shortell|2012|p=150}} Bullard planned to open the park by mid-1986 to coincide with the Statue of Liberty's centennial celebration. The project was delayed while the New York City Planning Commission compiled an environmental impact report.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/29/nyregion/coney-i-opening-season-with-hope.html|title=Coney I. Opening Season With Hope|last=Rangel|first=Jesus|date=March 29, 1986|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=September 16, 2018|archive-date=September 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916060357/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/29/nyregion/coney-i-opening-season-with-hope.html|url-status=live}} The New York City Council and the State Legislature also had to agree to lease some of the land to Bullard, but the legislative bodies did not give their approval until mid-1986.{{cite news |last=Willen |first=Liz |date=20 Oct 1986 |title=Brooklyn Neighborhoods Brooklyn Closeup Steeplechase Park Revival is Step Closer to Reality |page=25 |work=Newsday |issn=2574-5298 |id={{ProQuest|285478743}}}} By early 1987, the cost of the amusement park had nearly doubled to $100 million.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/05/nyregion/broad-redevelopment-is-urged-for-coney-island.html|title=Broad Redevelopment Is Urged for Coney Island|last=Rangel|first=Jesus|date=June 5, 1987|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 24, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224231701/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/05/nyregion/broad-redevelopment-is-urged-for-coney-island.html|url-status=live}} The city government gave final approval to Bullard's plans in 1989, at which point the park was supposed to cost $250 million and open in May 1992.{{cite news |last=Galante |first=Mary Ann |date=1 July 1989 |title=West Coast Know-How, East Coast Nostalgia An Orange County company has teamed up with a New York developer to revive Coney Island |page=1 |work=Los Angeles Times |issn=0458-3035 |id={{ProQuest|280964162}}}}

File:Кони-Айленд MCU парк.jpg

Concurrently, in December 1986, the New York State Urban Development Corporation formally proposed the construction of a $58 million, 17,000-seat minor-league baseball stadium near the site.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/05/nyregion/state-proposes-baseball-stadium-for-coney-i.html|title=State Proposes Baseball Stadium For Coney I.|last=Rangel|first=Jesus|date=December 5, 1986|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=September 16, 2018|archive-date=September 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916060000/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/05/nyregion/state-proposes-baseball-stadium-for-coney-i.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=The Business of Bringing Baseball Back to Brooklyn|last=Arena|first=Salvatore|date=April 26, 1987|work=New York Daily News|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28807554/ 1], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28807722/ 8–9]|via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}} State senator Thomas Bartosiewicz attempted to block Bullard from building on the Steeplechase site, as he was part of an organization that had promised another developer, Sportsplex, the right to build an amateur sports arena on the site. Construction was held up for another four years as Bullard and Sportsplex fought over the site.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/09/business/real-estate-coney-island-development-deal-gaining.html|title=Real Estate; Coney Island Development Deal Gaining|last=Kennedy|first=Shawn G.|date=August 9, 1989|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 24, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224231404/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/09/business/real-estate-coney-island-development-deal-gaining.html|url-status=live}}

After Rudy Giuliani took office as mayor of New York in 1994, he negated the Bullard deal by approving the construction of a minor-league baseball stadium on the site allotted for Steeplechase Park.{{sfn|DeSena|Shortell|2012|p=150}} In 1998, Giuliani had canceled Sportsplex and the entertainment complex, and instead unveiled another plan where only the parking lot would be built.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/23/nyregion/back-to-the-drawing-board-in-coney-island.html|title=Back to the Drawing Board in Coney Island|last=Martin|first=Douglas|date=November 23, 1998|access-date=November 13, 2015|issn=0362-4331|website=The New York Times|archive-date=November 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117061536/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/23/nyregion/back-to-the-drawing-board-in-coney-island.html|url-status=live}} The minor league team was called the Brooklyn Cyclones. Bullard, now no longer rebuilding Steeplechase Park, had wanted to restore the Thunderbolt as part of a scaled-down amusement park. Giuliani had the coaster demolished on the grounds that the Thunderbolt was about to collapse, though the coaster's destruction took weeks.{{sfn|DeSena|Shortell|2012|p=150}} In 2000, the city approved the $31 million Keyspan Park (now Maimonides Park), which used funds from the canceled Sportsplex.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/12/nyregion/deal-gives-coney-island-a-ballpark-and-a-team-that-some-didn-t-want.html|title=Deal Gives Coney Island a Ballpark, and a Team That Some Didn't Want|last=Barnes|first=Julian E.|date=April 12, 2000|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 24, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225044750/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/12/nyregion/deal-gives-coney-island-a-ballpark-and-a-team-that-some-didn-t-want.html|url-status=live}} The 6,500-seat minor-league baseball stadium opened the following year,{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Denny |date=2001-09-02 |title=Neighborhood Report: Coney Island; Seeking to Preserve a Polychrome Dining Fantasy |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/02/nyregion/neighborhood-report-coney-island-seeking-to-preserve-a-polychrome-dining-fantasy.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |issn=0362-4331}} in conjunction with the Brooklyn Cyclones' inaugural season in 2001.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/26/sports/sports-of-the-times-summer-rite-returns-to-borough-of-churches.html|title=Sports of The Times; Summer Rite Returns To Borough of Churches|last=Vecsey|first=George|date=June 26, 2001|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=February 24, 2019|archive-date=February 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225044942/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/26/sports/sports-of-the-times-summer-rite-returns-to-borough-of-churches.html|url-status=live}}

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File:Steeplechase Plaza W16 carousel pavilion construction jeh.jpg under construction at new Steeplechase Plaza]]

Much of the former Steeplechase Park site is occupied by Maimonides Park. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation owns the {{Convert|10|acre|ha|abbr=}} land under Maimonides Park and maintains it as "Steeplechase Park". A public plaza on the boardwalk is located to the south of Maimonides Park and operated by NYC Parks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/steeplechase-park/highlights/11804|title=Steeplechase Park Highlights|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=July 15, 2019|archive-date=July 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711133858/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/steeplechase-park/highlights/11804|url-status=live}}

In November 2011, work started on a {{convert|2.2|acre|adj=on}} site around the Parachute Jump, to be called Steeplechase Plaza. The city also announced that the historic B&B Carousell, which had been stored at the Brooklyn Army Terminal since 2005, would be relocated to Steeplechase Plaza within Luna Park.{{cite web|url=http://www.ny1.com/content/news/150531/ny1-exclusive--historic-carousel-is-jewel-of-new-coney-island-park|title=NY1 Exclusive: Historic Carousel Is Jewel Of New Coney Island Park|last=Ramirez|first=Jeanine|date=November 10, 2011|publisher=NY1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140312140231/http://www.ny1.com/content/news/150531/ny1-exclusive--historic-carousel-is-jewel-of-new-coney-island-park|archive-date=March 12, 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/city-breaks-ground-coney-island-steeplechase-plaza-set-house-historic-b-b-carousel-article-1.975855|title=City breaks ground on Coney Island's Steeplechase Plaza|last=Durkin|first=Erin|date=November 10, 2011|work=New York Daily News|access-date=July 31, 2018|archive-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731153823/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/city-breaks-ground-coney-island-steeplechase-plaza-set-house-historic-b-b-carousel-article-1.975855|url-status=live}} The carousel opened in 2013{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/nyregion/bb-carousell-horses-return-home-to-coney-island.html|title=B&B Carousell Horses Return Home to Coney Island|last=Foderaro|first=Lisa W.|date=May 24, 2013|website=The New York Times|access-date=July 28, 2018|archive-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731160613/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/nyregion/bb-carousell-horses-return-home-to-coney-island.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.brooklyndaily.com/stories/2013/22/all_coneysback_2013_06_01_bk.html|title=Nathan's, aquarium, B & B Carousell, and Brooklyn Nets store open in Coney|date=June 1, 2013|last=Bredderman|first=Will|website=Brooklyn Daily|access-date=July 31, 2018|archive-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731153735/https://www.brooklyndaily.com/stories/2013/22/all_coneysback_2013_06_01_bk.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://brooklyn.ny1.com/content/news/182669/historic-coney-island-carousel-spins-once-again|title=Historic Coney Island Carousel Spins Once Again|last=Simon|first=Stephanie|date=May 24, 2013|publisher=NY1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140312093433/http://brooklyn.ny1.com/content/news/182669/historic-coney-island-carousel-spins-once-again|archive-date=March 12, 2014|url-status=dead}} at the Steeplechase Plaza section of Luna Park, near the former site of Steeplechase Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/pdfs/16000035.pdf|title=National Register Information System – B&B Carousell (#16000035)|author=National Park Service|date=2016|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=July 28, 2018|archive-date=February 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216195426/https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/pdfs/16000035.pdf|url-status=dead|page=7}} The carousel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/2016/3/8/coney-island%E2%80%99s-bb-carousell-placed-national-register-historic-places|title=Coney Island's B&B Carousell placed on National Register of Historic Places|date=March 8, 2016|website=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=July 28, 2018|archive-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731213053/http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/2016/3/8/coney-island%E2%80%99s-bb-carousell-placed-national-register-historic-places|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.brooklyndaily.com/stories/2016/11/bn-b-and-b-carousell-on-historic-register-2016-03-11-bk.html|title=B&B Carousell designated national historic place, up for federal preservation money|date=March 11, 2016|last=Lynch|first=Dennis|website=Brooklyn Daily|access-date=July 28, 2018|archive-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183206/https://www.brooklyndaily.com/stories/2016/11/bn-b-and-b-carousell-on-historic-register-2016-03-11-bk.html|url-status=live}} The plaza is adjacent to Thunderbolt, a steel coaster that opened in 2014 on the site of the original wooden Thunderbolt.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/coney-island-new-thunderbolt-roller-coaster-officially-opens-article-1.1830380|title=Coney Island's new Thunderbolt roller coaster officially opens|author=Brown, Stephen R.|date=June 14, 2014|work=NY Daily News|access-date=June 29, 2014|archive-date=June 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619031233/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/coney-island-new-thunderbolt-roller-coaster-officially-opens-article-1.1830380|url-status=live}}

The only structure still standing that was once part of Steeplechase is the Parachute Jump.{{sfn|Reiss|2014|p=117}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/steeplechase-park/highlights/12477|title=Steeplechase Park Highlights|date=June 26, 1939|website=Parachute Jump : NYC Parks|access-date=February 24, 2019|archive-date=July 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711133824/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/steeplechase-park/highlights/12477|url-status=live}} It had been proposed for demolition in the mid-20th century. Due to the expense involved in destruction, the ride outlived the remainder of the park, operating until 1964.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00E7D6133AF933A05752C1A9659C8B63|title=The Coney Island Parachute Jump – For the Boardwalk's 'Eiffel Tower,' Restoration or Regulating a Ruin?|last=Gray|first=Christopher|date=November 15, 1987|access-date=May 5, 2006|work=The New York Times}} Still too expensive to tear down, the tower was made a New York City designated landmark in 1977. Three months later the New York City Board of Estimate overturned the landmark designation, citing doubts about the tower's structural integrity.{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2010/02/15/coney-island-parachute-jump-no-climbing-allowed/|title=Coney Island Parachute Jump – No climbing allowed!|last=Maniscalco|first=Joe|date=February 15, 2010|website=New York Post|language=en|access-date=February 24, 2019|archive-date=February 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225102955/https://nypost.com/2010/02/15/coney-island-parachute-jump-no-climbing-allowed/|url-status=live}} In 1980, the Parachute Jump was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1989, the Parachute Jump was once again recognized as a city landmark.{{Cite web|url=https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2016/05/11/coney-island-landmarks-present-and-we-hope-future/|title=Coney Island landmarks, present and (we hope) future|date=May 11, 2016|last=Croghan|first=Lore|website=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|language=en-US|access-date=February 24, 2019|archive-date=July 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711133828/https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2016/05/11/coney-island-landmarks-present-and-we-hope-future/|url-status=live}}

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a_paj4cavDwC&pg=PA32|title=Coney Island|last=Berman|first=J.S.|author2=Museum of the City of New York|publisher=Barnes and Noble Books|year=2003|isbn=978-0-7607-3887-0|series=Portraits of America|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721204707/https://books.google.com/books?id=a_paj4cavDwC&pg=PA32|url-status=live}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S-YNs4ih1FUC|title=The World in Brooklyn: Gentrification, Immigration, and Ethnic Politics in a Global City|first1=Judith N.|last1=DeSena|first2=Timothy|last2=Shortell|publisher=Lexington Books|year=2012|isbn=978-0-7391-6670-3|pages=147–176|archive-date=May 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507155913/https://books.google.com/books?id=S-YNs4ih1FUC|url-status=live}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OACbAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA33|title=Coney Island|last=Hoffman|first=L.J.|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=2014|isbn=978-1-4671-2131-6|series=Postcard History|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721202423/https://books.google.com/books?id=OACbAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA33|url-status=live}}
• {{cite book|last=Ierardi|first=E.J.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CQ7Xi_BjAc4C&pg=PA68|title=Gravesend: The Home of Coney Island|publisher=Arcadia|year=2001|isbn=978-0-7385-2361-3|series=The making of America|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721202424/https://books.google.com/books?id=CQ7Xi_BjAc4C&pg=PA68|url-status=live}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i4POVzmwY9cC|title=Coney Island: the people's playground|last=Immerso|first=Michael|publisher=Rutgers University Press|year=2002|isbn=978-0-8135-3138-0|edition=illustrated|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108150453/https://books.google.com/books?id=i4POVzmwY9cC|url-status=live}}
• {{cite book|last=Reiss|first=Marcia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gyLUDwAAQBAJ|title=Lost Brooklyn|publisher=Rizzoli|year=2014|isbn=978-1-909815-66-7|language=en|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424160658/https://books.google.com/books?id=gyLUDwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wdBsDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT315|title=The Amusement Park: 900 Years of Thrills and Spills, and the Dreamers and Schemers Who Built Them|last=Silverman|first=S.M.|publisher=Running Press|year=2019|isbn=978-0-316-41647-4|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721204709/https://books.google.com/books?id=wdBsDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT315|url-status=live}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.coneyislandhistory.org/oral-history-archive/filter/Steeplechase-Park Oral histories about Steeplechase Park collected by the Coney Island History Project]
• [https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/steeplechase-park NYC Parks website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20041027004804/http://history.amusement-parks.com/steeplechase.htm Steeplechase Park at amusement-parks.com]

{{Coney Island}}

{{Protected areas of New York City}}

Category:1897 establishments in New York City

Category:1964 disestablishments in New York (state)

Category:1907 fires in the United States

Category:Amusement parks closed in 1964

Category:Amusement parks opened in 1897

Category:Arthur Godfrey

Category:Coney Island

Category:Cultural history of New York City

Category:Defunct amusement parks in New York (state)

Category:Parks in Brooklyn