At the very end of Brooklyn, right on the Atlantic Ocean, is a neighborhood perhaps best known for its diversions: Coney Island. Home to a historic boardwalk as well as Luna Park, which opened as New York’s first amusement park in 1903, Coney Island is a prime destination for local tourists during the warmer months. Riding The Cyclone, a large wooden roller coaster often associated with the theme park, is a Brooklyn rite of passage for some, just as eating a Nathan’s hot dog near the boardwalk is for others. In addition to beaches and roller coasters, Coney Island is also a large residential neighborhood, known for its prominent Eastern European community. Located at the southwestern part of the borough, about 60,000 people make up the community, which is bordered by Sea Gate to the west, Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the South, and Gravesend to the north. Many Coney Island residents are first generation New Yorkers or recent immigrants. While Coney Island an hour-plus train ride from Manhattan and relatively distant from many other Brooklyn neighborhoods, it’s also known for having a close-knit community. The Coney Island Public Library, the New York Aquarium and dozens of family-run restaurants, many specializing in Russian cuisine, are all local attractions. The D, F, N and Q trains all end their line at Coney Island, making it rather easy to travel to or from any other point in the city. This historic neighborhood unfortunately suffered damage during 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, but New York’s efforts to rebuild and enhance the cherished area have been evident. This past summer Coney Island was booming like years prior, with popular Brooklyn Cyclones games at the local stadium and the annual Mermaid Parade led by Mayor Bill de Blasio and his family. By Melissa Kravitz