To view our videos, you need to:
1. Enable JavaScript. Learn how.
2. Install Adobe Flash. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

Roses were placed at the gates of Astroland moments before its final day got underway as the clock struck noon Sunday.

Co-Owner Carol Hill Albert says she was unable to work out a lease extension with developer Thor Equities, and that she had no choice but to shut down operations.

"It's always sad to see something come to an end," said Albert.

Albert and Thor Equities have been battling for months. Albert's lease is up in January and Thor claims she demanded a two-year lease.

Thor says it's disappointed Albert is giving up on the future of Coney Island when her lease isn't even up, but Albert says it will take six months to move out all the rides.

Albert says saying goodbye to the past captured in the amusement park isn't easy.

"I hope my employees will be able to get work next summer," she said.

Employee Mike Olmeda operates one of the rides at Astroland. He says his family has been coming to the park for generations.

"It's like family and friends here. I've been here five years. It's kind of emotional in a way," said Olmeda.

Thor Equities has been in touch with a number of amusement operators willing to potentially take over this space. They plan on having a facility on site by next year that will honor Coney Island's past while looking towards its future.

But that's little consultation to the Brooklynites and advocates who oppose the major development plan for the beachfront area.

"It's just a damn shame that the City of New York and the developers who bought the property on Coney Island can't do something to preserve the heritage and the legacy of what this place was and the way we want it to be," said Brooklyn Borough Historian Ron Schweiger.

For many New Yorkers, Astroland is synonymous with their childhoods.

"We come here as much as possible and I feel like they're tearing down my whole childhood, my whole life, my legacy," said long-time area resident Terry Rosenzweig. "Everything I have is here. That's why I'm trying to capture everything I can – my last moments of my life growing up here on Coney Island today."

Even though Astroland is closing, fans of the Cyclone and the Wonder Wheel shouldn't worry. Both of those rides are covered by separate leases and are expected to reopen next year.