By Anthony Rifilato
Once, during its glory, the ride was the counterpart to Nunley¹s Carousel in Baldwin, a main attraction for years. Now it sits on the bay outside the Bridgeview nightclub, inoperable, evoking another era. ³It¹s been around for 60 years,² said Lanning. ³So many people and their kids were on it. It¹s part of growing up here.²
Lanning, 61, is a friendly guy with a handlebar mustache. Along with his wife, Kathy, he talked animatedly about the Ferris wheel, which was built in the 1940s, and his plans for it.
He is looking to help spur a Nassau County and Town of Hempstead initiative to return Nunley¹s to Baldwin, as part of a proposed revitalization project. Lanning said he is willing to donate the Ferris wheel, and, along with the carousel, would like to see it returned to its former glory.
³I wanted this in my backyard, but it was too big,² Lanning said. ³It should be back in town.²
Like many people, Lanning used to ride the Ferris wheel at Nunley¹s Amusement Park as a child, and later brought his own five children there, where he would prop them up on a carousel animal or put them in one of the Ferris wheel¹s carriages.
Those days ended when the park closed in 1995, denying Lanning the opportunity to bring his seven grandchildren to the park. He had tried to purchase the carousel with the help of business owners, but the county ultimately bought it for $854,400.
So Lanning did the next best thing. He bought the Ferris wheel, for $1,800. ³At first I thought he was crazy,² Kathy Lanning said. ³But it¹s nostalgic. It¹s something our kids went on.²
After his purchase, Lanning, who owns South Shore Collision in Island Park, had trouble finding a place for the ride and someone to operate it. Public and private entities refused it, citing liability issues.
Three years ago, however, Lanning teamed up with John Vitale, who owns Paddy McGee¹s restaurant and the Bridgeview, among others, to display the Ferris wheel on the waterfront, where it has remained ever since. ³I told him that I have this thing and we should do something with it,² Lanning said. ³He was the only one willing to take it.²
Vitale said that he was enthusiastic about bringing the Ferris wheel to this stretch of town, which includes numerous restaurants. ³I though it was a great idea,² he said. ³It¹s a big part of history.²
Vitale has placed historical items in the area in the past, such as a historic dive bell and an antique car.
The Ferris wheel doesn¹t rotate, and is chained to discourage rowdy teens and others from climbing inside during the summer months. But Lanning said he is looking to bring it back to life. He explained that when he heard about the recent plans to restore Nunley¹s, he thought his proposal would help encourage officials and others to further the restoration initiative, whose cost is currently estimated at about $450,000.
Legislator Joe Scannell (D-Baldwin) has said that he would use $200,000 in community development funds, and local schools have joined the ³Pennies for Ponies² campaign in order to raise money for the project.
³I said, It¹s time for me to open my mouth,² Lanning said. ³[Nunley¹s] is just sitting in storage and deteriorating.²
Ultimately, Lanning said he would like to see the Ferris wheel accompany the carousel, and would be willing to pay for the restoration of the wheel if the county or a private developer would operate it. It could also be used as an inoperable display if it fits into a redevelopment plan. ³If this helps them get the carousel, that¹s all I want to do,² he said.
If the town and county proposal do not materialize, however, Vitale said he would be willing to move the carousel to Oceanside, where he is developing an amusement park, the construction of which is set to begin in September and be completed in 2007. ³This could be a good home for [Nunley¹s],² said Vitale.
That seems unlikely, though, with local officials saying that they are committed to returning Nunley¹s to Baldwin. But the reception to Lanning¹s idea hasn¹t been cold, with officials saying that they welcome the proposal if it fits into a redevelopment plan, which is still in its infancy.
The Town of Hempstead recently released a blight study of a portion of Grand Avenue near the corner of Merrick Road, where officials are hoping to return the carousel, and could possibly condemn some properties through eminent domain, the first phase of any redevelopment plan, the town said.
In the meantime, Lanning and his wife said that since he made his offer and it attracted some media coverage, the reaction they¹re getting is positive. ³We¹ve been hearing from friends that we haven¹t spoken to in years,² Kathy Lanning said.
As they stood in front of the Ferris wheel, a man in a sedan pulled up slowly and lowered his window. ³Hey, are you the guy who¹s donating that?² the drive asked.
³Yeah,² said Lanning.
³That¹s great ‹ that¹s so nice,² the driver said.
³Thank you,² said Lanning.
Comments about this story? Baldwineditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 207.
