Toni On New York!

When I was a little girl, I looked forward to summer weekends. That’s when my parents would take me and my sisters to Nellie Bly Amusement Park. Nellie Bly was Brooklyn’s answer to “Kiddie” Great Adventure. Okay, not quite, but through the eyes of a child, it was the best thing since quarter rides. And right in our own backyard! No need to wake up at the crack of dawn and travel to far-off distances. In the amount of time it would take you to get to places like Great Adventure, you’d be in…you’d be out of Nellie Bly. Kids left happy. Parents left happy (with energy to spare). Admission to the park was free and rides were pay-as-you-go (usually $1 a ticket) with each ride requiring two to four tickets. I had my favorites: the kiddie fire engine, the kiddie train, the motorcycles (especially the purple one) and the merry-go-round. As I grew a bit more daring in later years, I graduated to the kiddie roller coaster and the Tilt-A-Whirl. Just the anticipation of waiting in line for the current ride to stop so you can run over to your “car” – whether it was your favorite color (HELLO! PURPLE MOTORCYCLE!), the biggest of the lot, or had the shiniest bell – was part of the whole routine. Tickets in hand, the ride operator would come over, you’d hand over your tickets, they’d buckle you in, you’d wait for the bell…annnnnnd they’re off. My stomach would tickle with every small hill or quick whip around the curve. Loved the interactive rides that would allow you to yank on the rope for the fire engine’s bell or rev the motorcycle’s handles. I’d wriggle my nose on each ride with glee (which meant I was enjoying myself). In my teen years, Nellie Bly became more of a place to go mini-golfing with friends or play skee-ball on dates…with the occasional Tilt-A-Whirl thrown in the mix (sans the wriggling of the nose – thankfully, I grew out of that).

Onto adulthood, I was lucky enough to introduce Nellie Bly to only one of my children. Sadly, in 2005, Nellie Bly locked their gates…for good. It was the end of an era after nearly four decades. How could they have closed down my childhood haunt? There was an empty void that couldn’t be filled. Not even a nearby trip to Coney Island’s Astroland could make things better. And I love Coney Island! My husband even offered to bid on one of the fire engines when he heard they were up for auction. That was sweet. I had a fleeting thought of my 30-something self squeezing into the seat of the engine on my front lawn and pulling on the rope to make the bell ring. All while wriggling my nose. The thought gave me the shivers and I passed on his generous offer.

Lo and behold, I learned there was no need to fret. Happy days were here again! Back in 2007, Nellie Bly was renovated and reopened with new owners and a new name: Adventurers Family Entertainment Center. Mainly, it is still a kiddie amusement park, but they have added some rides for the older set as well. The Miniature Golf course is still there and admission is still free with rides priced on a pay-as-you-go basis or P.O.P. (Pay One Price).

Having not yet been there since the reopening, we decided to take the kids one (very hot) weekday a couple of weeks ago. Walking through the front gates was a bit surreal. Some things have changed, but some have remained the same. Upon perusing the tinier tot section to see what my 3-year old might be interested in riding, what to my wondering eyes shall appear? The. Motorcycle. Ride. Better yet? The PURPLE one was there! Right there in the flesh! In all its faded glory! I stopped in my tracks. I stared in awe. I wriggled my nose (Nah. Just kidding.) I think I may have even drooled a little. Or, maybe I was just panting because it was a hot one, like 7 inches from the midday sun. In any event, what I wouldn’t give to climb up on that seat and rev those handles once again. The ride operator came by and asked if anyone wanted a ride. I immediately pulled a Horshack and shouted, “Oooh! Oooh! Yes! Me! Me!” It was when she gave me an odd look that I then realized she was directing that question to one of my kids. *shrugs* Oh well. At least I know I can always go home again.

If you want to relive your Nellie Bly memories, make new ones or are planning a trip to Brooklyn, why not take the kiddies to Adventurers! It’s a fun way to spend a quick afternoon. www.adventurerspark.com

Here’s to Pop-A-Wheelie Dreamin’ ~ Brooklyn Mama

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