Coney Island Parachute Jump, New York, USA

Coney Island Parachute Jump, New York, USA

October 30, 2006

The Parachute Jump, the famed 277-foot thrill ride that operated at Coney Island, New York between 1941 and 1964, had become dilapidated by the late ’90s. In July, the Brooklyn icon bloomed once again, with the launch of a new Exterior 600 and LED lighting installation designed by Leni Schwendinger of Light Projects.

For Schwendinger, lighting designs explore “what’s possible with light above and beyond safety and security. What’s interesting about this way of working with light and lighting in the urban context is that we’re able to give these iconic figures a kind of fluidity or flexibility about them.”

Her transformation of the Parachute Jump is a spirited addition to the area’s nighttime landscape, one that connects the gritty edge of Brooklyn with the rhythms of nature: One light sequence, for example, accompanies the full moon’s arrival and departure with a three-day waxing and waning of whites.

Symbol of rebirth and much more
Although the illuminated Jump is being celebrated as a symbol of Coney Island’s rebirth, the gestation of the project goes as far back as 1999, when the New York Department of Design and Construction enlisted architectural engineering firm STV to rehabilitate the structure, abate the lead paint and restore the landmark red and yellow colors. After work was completed in 2003 the city realized that it had a newly refurbished tower that could only be appreciated during the daytime. A year later a consortium of city organizations revisited STV’s early suggestion that the Jump be transformed into a lighted, public artwork.

The client desired an icon that could be seen from multiple vantage points and serve as an internationally recognized beacon for a revitalized Coney Island. Its landmark colors were to be enhanced and echoed during the evening and night as a symbol of Coney Island's colorful past - and choreographed lighting sequences would imply motion expressing the rise, fall and floating of parachutes specifically and Coney’s tradition of the whimsical, unique and unusual in general.

Light Projects
Light Projects’ Schwendinger was chosen to compose the lighting design. In her scheme, 17 IP65 rated Martin Architectural Exterior 600 color changers and 450 LEDs perform five variations besides the moon dance, including compositions for weekdays, weekends, and special events, which keep repeat customers enthralled. Schwendinger says, “I like to connect with the actual activities, the meaning of the site, the uses of the site, and express those in new ways.”

Opened on July 7th, the artist-programmed skin of colored-light transforms the filigreed steel Parachute Jump framework – a shimmering omni-directional icon for Coney Island and all of Brooklyn. The malleable forms of light, time and color are the media with which Leni's art form is constructed. For the Jump, episodic rhythms, affectionately named during long nights of electronic programming, include “Cha-Cha-Cha,” “Ghost Chasing Its Tail,” among others, are woven into scenarios which perform nightly during the entire year. Programs were sketched and based on music composition language such as stanzas which include glissando, pizzicato, legato rhythms, among others.

Six discrete scenarios mark notable days of the year such as the Coney boardwalk season, the full moon and holidays – with visual chimes to announce the hour, on the hour. The light performances start one-half hour before sunset and go dark at midnight, except during fall and winter and the bird migratory season, when the lights are programmed to turn off at 11:00 pm as a part of the “Lights Out New York” initiative.

Through a partnership with the Borough President's Office, the Mayor's office, the city's Economic Development Corporation, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the City Council, Leni Schwendinger and engineering/architectural firm STV, the project took two years from inception to completion.

Parachute Jump history
The 170-ton Parachute Jump tower was constructed for the 1939 New York World’s Fair as an amusement ride, modeled after paratrooper training towers. In 1941, the Jump was relocated to Coney Island’s Steeplechase Park. In 1965, after the Park’s sale to the late developer Fred Trump, the Jump was closed permanently. In 1988 the tower was officially designated a landmark. The revitalized Parachute Jump was recognized as one of New York's outstanding building projects of 2006 by New York Construction, the metro region's leading building magazine.

Team credits
Owner: New York City Parks and Recreation (Project managed by NYC Economic Development Corporation and funded by Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz)

Light Projects Team: Leni Schwendinger, Stephen Bickford, Courtney Hewitt, Charles Cameron, Mark Simpson
Master Programmer: Paul Hudson
Rehearsal Programmer: Alex Fogel

Engineers: STV
Consultant: Ron Fogel and Associates
Equipment: Electronic Theater Controls, Martin Architectural, Phoster Lighting
Contractors: Turner Construction, Linco Electrical, CAN Resources, 4 Wall Entertainment Lighting

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