County Renaming Portion of Playland Parkway After Former Mayor Carey

Westchester County will rename a portion of Playland Parkway after former Rye Mayor John Carey. Rye guy and County Executive George Latimer is expected to sign the bill directing the naming on Friday.

The Board of Legislators, including Rye resident and County Legislator Catherine Parker, voted unanimously on Monday to support the new naming. Carey was the Mayor from 1974 to 1982.

The section of the Playland Parkway roadway to be renamed “John Carey Place” extends from Rye Beach Avenue and runs along the beach and pool parking lot north to the intersection with the upper circle of Playland Park.

“John Carey held a long and distinguished career in public service – a Judge, Mayor, City Councilman and activist for so many important causes, a true public servant in every sense of the word,” said Latimer. “He was a man of many accomplishments, and he shared his life, his talents and his spirit with everyone he touched. John remained present and involved in his civic life until the time of his passing, and he is very much deserving of this honor that we know will live on for generations to come.”

“John Carey was an exemplary public servant, as a judge for Westchester County and later as Mayor of the City of Rye,” said Parker. “It is fitting that we rename a portion of Playland Parkway after him so future generations can honor his contributions to the community.”

John Carey

The Hon. John Carey passed away in October 2019 at the age of 95 but lived an extraordinary life. He was a veteran of World War II; he served as a Rye City Councilman and Mayor; he was a gifted attorney and legal scholar of international human rights law, and a Westchester County Judge and Acting Supreme Court Judge. In addition, he authored dozens of academic articles and two books. He was appointed to the United Nations Subcommission on the Prevention of Discrimination and the Protection of Minorities, a position appointed by both major political parties. He served in this capacity for nearly 25 years.

After serving in Rye’s City Council, he became Mayor for two terms from 1974 to 1982. One of the first two Democratic City Councilmen, and the first Democratic Mayor, Carey was known for building coalitions between Democrats and Republicans. Carey worked on the acquisition of Rye Golf Club and a public beach next to Playland Amusement Park. He is also known for his successful efforts to both allow skateboarding for residents on public streets and to require “safety doors” on the Metro North New Haven line trains.