BREAKING: Playland to Open Memorial Day Weekend, Admission Will be Free
Rye Playland will open on Memorial Day weekend.
“Summer in Westchester means a summer spent at Playland. And this summer will absolutely be no different,” said Jenkins. “And we certainly are going to be open in 2025.”
The County made the announcement Wednesday morning. Admission Memorial Day weekend will be free. The parking fee for Playland will be reduced to $10 this season. The announcement was made at a news conference held by Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins. Since Standard Amusements backed out of its Speculation has been swirling about when and how much of the park will open.
The beach will also open on Memorial Day, and the pool will open later in June when all County pools open. Park fees after the free Memorial weekend will be ride based (versus park entry) and are still being assessed. A final determination will be made based on ride and park readiness.
Jenkins went on to recount Playland’s history since 2009 when then County Executive Rob Astorino moved to privatize the park through to the Standard Amusement saga (ongoing) and the recent $125 million in capital improvements. Of course what residents and park goers really care about is will the park, pool and beach open, when and in what condition.
Here is the latest:
Pool and Beach
- Playland Beach closed its winter dog season this past Sunday, May 4th.
- The County has been cleaning and preparing the beach and the pool. Beach cleaning in underway and the pool has ben tested as is in “solid shape”
- The County has been interviewing for lifeguards and pool staff.
Playland Park
- Vondriska Leisure Consultants, LLC conducted a visual inspection of all rides this March. They were also at the park last summer for a period of ten days were they reported up to 16 rides were not operable.
- Zamperla, based in Italy with local offices in New Jersey, is now conducting further extensive testing per a recent emergency order.
- Standard Amusements, according to the County, did not leave any parts inventory needed for maintenance and repair and rides were not properly winterized
- Most importantly, all rides will need to be approved by the New York State Department of Labor for safety.
“Unfortunately, when visiting the rides area of the park, it was disheartening to see that the rides were not maintained over time,” said Deputy County Executive Richard Wishnie. “There are rusted parts, bent metal support arms, failed electrical components, missing gear boxes and similar decay that are obvious needs to be repaired and replaced before these rides would be approved for access to the public. That is the process that is being undertaken at this time with a full, all hands on approach by the direction of the county executive.”
“The Department of Labor is the one that certifies the rides to be open which rides, and each one of those will be certified as required before any public use can happen,” said Jenkins, emphasizing the State will make the final call on each particular ride opening. “And again, ultimately, this is going to be the state’s decision from Department of Labor whether a ride opens or not.”
Everybody wants to see Playland work and be operational. We have to do this, and we will do it safely and responsibly.”
Here is the video of the 36 minute news conference:
