In a letter to MyRye.com, Rye resident and former Westchester County Legislator GOP candidate for the 7th District Kurt van Kuller says the County should be offering real financial trasparency around Playland Park.
Letter to MyRye.com:
Westchester County Executive recently announced that Playland had a successful rebound in 20326, citing 320,708 visitors in 2026, up 36% from 2025, generating approximately $5.3 million in reported revenues. Yet attendance remains 37% below its 2019 level of more than 500,000, when revenues exceeded $10 million.
Yet the County has released no comparable 2026 operating expense figures, net operating results, or estimate of taxpayer subsidies. Nor has it disclosed meaningful performance targets, such as revenue per visitor, operating margins or return on invested capital.
The County’s audited 2025 financial statements list $24.6 million in gross Playland departmental expenditures, including $14.9 million transferred to debt service. Additional costs not included are employee benefits and administrative overhead. These figures raise serious questions about whether the hemorrhaging of taxpayer dollars has slowed at all.
Meanwhile, the County’s proposed 2027 capital budget identifies approximately $377 million in estimated total costs for Playland capital projects, including roughly $240 million already expended or obligated.
Playland is highly unusual as a government-owned and operated commercial amusement park. Its finances should be separately reported as an Enterprise Fund, with complete disclosure of revenues, expenses, assets, depreciation, debt service and taxpayer support.
Historical visitor surveys suggest that most attendees come from outside Westchester County, meaning County taxpayers may be heavily subsidizing nonresident recreation. Meanwhile, the City of Rye bears approximately $300,000 in police, fire and emergency service costs attributable to Playland, without County reimbursement. Playland owes its Rye neighbors better than this.
Increased attendance is welcome, but it does not establish financial success. Rye residents should continue concerned about Playland’s viability.
Taxpayers deserve a financial report card, not another victory lap.
Kurt van Kuller
Waters Edge, Rye
