Pleasure Beach in 4K [Bridgeport, CT] Drone Footage

From 1892 until 1958, it was home to a popular amusement park of the same name. From 1904 to 1919, it was called "Steeplechase Island." The amusement park was accessible primarily by ferry service and a wooden swing bridge built in 1927 to carry automobiles and pedestrians.[2] Remaining structures from the amusement park are the carousel, dodge-'em car enclosure, and beer garden (the latter was substantially altered for use as a summer theater in the 1960s).
After a portion of the bridge burned in 1996, Pleasure Beach was cut off and became accessible only by a lengthy trek along the shoreline, or by small private boats from the mainland. This severely limited access and allowed nature to be undisturbed. As late as December 2008, Bridgeport considered a ferry service to relink the beach with the city, but this was rejected due to parking considerations and the need for a Coast Guard registered captain.
Video Shot - Sept/2017
IG - KKGTheBrand

[@carnivalwrestler]

We left Stratford in '62 (for the West) and I never remember it being called "Pleasure Beach," but rather, "Pleasure Island", an obvious play on "Treasure Island". I went to the beach there many times every summer from about '56 through '61. I remember cutting my foot on a razor clam on a sandbar, being chased out of the water by a shark (near the "rocks"), getting caught in a very bad undertow (Dad and I went on an unusually warm day long before summer and the currents were crazy, I think it was April 1960), and some pretty girls. Although I live in a western state with five national parks and incredible mountains and scenery, I will always miss Connecticut and New England and I think it's the most beautiful place in the world.

[@katherineblesie988]

I'm working on a small student documentary about Bridgeport and would love to hear more about your memories of Pleasure Island. Let me know if you'd be interested in talking over the phone.

[@abroddd2598]

@@katherineblesie988 gangs

[@johnpowers2921]

This was my sanctuary when I was a kid in the 50’s. The rides at the amusement park , my father would take me fishing, and of course the Rosslers hotdogs

[@BigSi-xw6wv]

Damn the bridge has really fell apart from sitting for the last 23 years. So corrupt why just not had repaired the damn small portion that was burnt. Such a great historical history finished.

[@42Redbear]

Man, does this bring back memories .... especially of the summer record hops on Friday nights in the PB Ballroom, which were usually hosted by WICC disk jockeys. Jim Hargett WHHS, Class of 1964

[@pureforce469]

my dad graduated in 60 I think....he had 7 brothers and sisters that were mostly younger they grew up in Father Panik until they moved to Denver Ave

[@carmenreina5256]

We living that 60"around there remember ,we used go in afternoon nice place thanks Bless

[@frankroberts3596]

That must have been wonderful years ago looks like it was a nice place

[@DLAN-jb3hb]

My parents went there back in the 50's, before they got married.

[@adriannyasia]

Thanx for sharing! Been in Tampa for almost 6yrs. Really miss home.

[@danielrosado9134]

Thank you sharing

[@LisaMichele]

Beautiful footage. I walked out there from the beach in Stratford(?) about 5 years ago, immediately after the last of the homes were demolished and it was to be a bird sanctuary. It's a beautiful piece of beach and about a one hour walk each way to get to the pavilion area. The pavilion looks in good shape, with that new path and plantings and tables with umbrellas, and the new flag. I wonder what's up with that spot now!

[@PatrickConlon]

Nice beach, excellent work with the footage! 4:06 is my favorite shot! Looking forward to seeing more. Thanks for posting.

[@CTFlagVid]

Patrick Conlon I really appreciate your comment

[@PatrickConlon]

CTFlagVid Your welcome, by the way please do check out my stuff and I you like it (only if you like what you see) please do sub. Thanks Patrick

[@georgesabol459]

This park was donated for the public's use. It is now being allowed to atrophy into oblivion. So sad. Remember repairg roofs there too!! My friends band played for a sweet 16 birthday party circa 1990. Used the power inside the carousel building. Would be arrested today for sure.

[@joseyournortheastdriverech7017]

I remember going to this beach when I was about 10 years old this is the first place that I learn a Huffy bike great memories sad to see it this way maybe one day it will be open to the public again like them good old days....

[@XxKyKiske2007xX]

Looking at it, the map shows that the area is still accessible in another way....there's a road that goes there but looks risky if it were hide tide.

[@machineethics]

Remember a summer evening in the fifties, the wood bridge clattering under the wheels of my uncle’s car. Taking my cousin and I to Pleasure Beach. Treated to a Neapolitan ice cream sandwich on flat, crispy, thin waffles and a terrifying Haunted House ride that to this day prevents me from ever doing another. I can still feel the cold sea breeze.

[@labrd41]

By 1996 Pleasure Beach had become a thorn in the local government's side with maintenance problems , drug and prostitute activity, both female and male. Story is, as I heard it, the Latin Kings were having a large group picnic on the island when the bridge caught fire stranding them, their cars and contraband. Took days to get it all sorted out and the cars back to the mainland.

[@zHerself]

They rather abandoned a whole ass beach instead of just fixing the burn part of the bridge

[@MechInfantry2AD]

Great video. Haven't been there in a while. Just got a P4. What do you fly? Do you have e a filter lens on your lens cause those colors pop.

[@CTFlagVid]

Thanks for the compliment. Shot this with my mavic pro when I first got it. No filters, and just a custom lut to make it pop.

[@armandobonilla1281]

im moving back to Bridgeport connecicut coming soon. 56 maiden lane for ever and ever.

[@baseball1090]

whats the name of the song used?

[@ThePlayerCube13]

Could I use your footage in a video? Nonprofit

[@milanimorales2645]

nice music though!

[@ShellymanStudios]

Don't worry I will fix it up again, it's gonna take time though!

[@garypleasecomehome3032]

what happened to fixing it up?

[@ShellymanStudios]

@@garypleasecomehome3032 I said it's gonna take time.

[@BigSi-xw6wv]

O.k I admit honestly I never knew there was fire damage on the other side. It is way worse than the resident thought. But why wasn't the center burned. Somebody probably the city itself did this on purpose. So sad😥😥😥 unbelievable.

[@carlosjavierPR]

Did you called the airport before flying thats to close to the aorport .. and you cant fly in that island either is a national wildlife refuge.... faa might be look in your videos ... fly safe bro

[@daniellethewatertrainer]

Someone's always got to be a know-it-all. I've flown my drone here WITH permission and WITH a Part 107 license. Why assume CTFlagVid did not do the same?

[@milanimorales2645]

really Bridgeport how much money does it cost to build the stinking bridge I bet you could rally together a few wood workshop volunteers and get the job done

[@XxKyKiske2007xX]

Why not just build a new one and leave the old relic behind?

[@bulletlou0]

The bridge would cost an estimate of about $60 million.

[@BigSi-xw6wv]

@@THOMASTHESAILOR Dude a cigar or a cigarette burned the bridge down thrown out a car. Noone purposely burned the bridge but your absoluetly right the reason it never reopened but during the day it was safe i went their almost everyday during the summer as a child.

[@BigSi-xw6wv]

They could of repaired the bridge. The center part still rotated so how could they had estimated millions. Bpt is a scum town. Just like the Congress avenue bridge. Traffic passed safely over it everyday. What do they do open it decide it cost too much to repair and since then for 20 years its been closed in the open position. Corrupt political scumbags. Probably the worst in the state. Google Joseph Ganim.

[@THOMASTHESAILOR]

BigSi, I'm not sure about the Cigarette cause, cigarettes go out quickly, before they can ignite anything,, *They are designed that way by law* .. It's a law because too many people fall asleep with a lite one in their hand and start a bed on fire quickly.... so, if a cigarette can't start a bed sheet on fire,, they won't start a thick board on fire.

[@snoopylily1141]

Sad, it looks like Chernobyl

[@bemco2496]

Believe it or not when manufacturing was a huge industries in Bridgeport, the minorities took over and everything went downhill from there...it’s a shame Bridgeport was once a great city...

[@markmontaine626]

$110 Billion for Ukraine but no money to improve America to fix this place up? Time to vote for America and get our stuff fixed up. Sad. Very sad

[@snoopylily1141]

Sad, it looks like Chernobyl