Louis Parker

Louis has fond memories of riding Astroland's one-of-a-kind Rocket simulator, the very first ride to arrive at the space-age themed park in 1962. On January 28, 2009, Louis, who works at the Aquarium, was excited to see the 71-foot Rocket on a trailer in the Aquarium lot instead of atop Gregory & Paul's roof. When he asked if he could climb up inside, his wish was granted. The interview took place after a ceremony at which Carol Hill Albert, co-owner of Astroland, donated the park's most famous icon to the City of New York. Astroland, which has been Coney Island's largest amusement park for 47 years, closed in September 2008. The City promised to display the Astroland Rocket in a prominent location as part of the new Coney Island where it can continue to educate and entertain.

In June 2014, after five years in storage at Staten Island's Homeport, the Astroland Rocket was brought back home to Coney Island by the Coney Island History Project and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. The Rocket is currently on display in the park adjacent to the Wonder Wheel.