To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

Only 4.5 million beachgoers visited Coney Island, compared to 8.6 million last year, and 15.5 million in 2006.

"I thought it would be a lot more packed on a Sunday, Labor Day weekend," said beach-goer Matt Frosch. "We found parking right across the street, so I was pretty surprised. Definitely there's a decrease in the amount of people here."

Business owners who count on the busy summer season have definitely noticed the difference.

"We did a little less business, but I don't know what caused people not to come," said business owner Paul Georgoulakos. "The weather was pretty good; maybe they had little less money to spend."

"I thought since I'm working here, it was going to be packed every Friday, Saturday, but it hasn't been packed that much at all," said pizzeria employee Solana McCurvin. "We had maybe three, four busy days throughout the whole summer."

The fact that the beach has not been packed this summer has people stumped. Some blame the economy, with rising gas prices and an increased cost of living in general.

"We don't even stay more than one or two nights because it's just the cost involved with everything," said beach-goer Scott Long. "You spend $10 at Dunkin Donuts for coffee. It's getting expensive to go anywhere."

Still, others say the pending closure of Astroland Park, which, barring a last-minute lease deal, is slated to shut down after this season, is reason enough to get them to the beach one last time.

"I heard that it was closing, that this is the last, year so I was coming down here to see Coney Island one last time," said beach-goer Geraldine Goodwin.

Tomorrow marks the last day city beaches will be open.