Rye Playland will announce later this week it plans to test a ferry service from New York City to the 95 year old amusement park in Rye this August. Playland operator Standard Amusements is chartering a NY Waterways ferry on Saturday, August 19th to run the service.
“[Playland and the ferry service] was such an important piece of the waterfront property and just the nature of the Sound,” said Stacy Shuster, director of marketing, sales and pr at Playland. “We’re delighted to be bringing it back in some way. This day, August 19th, is the trial run for this season. But if all goes to plan, we should have it as a regular mode of transportation next summer.”
The ferry is expected to make two stops in Manhattan and one stop in the Bronx before arriving at the Playland pier. The park will be selling package tickets that include the ferry service as well as park and beach entry. The boy band Larger Than Life will play a concert and there will be fireworks on the day of the ferry service. The ferry will return park goers after the fireworks show is complete.
Further details on stops, pickup and drop off times and package pricing are expected later this week.
There was regular ferry service to Playland from the early 1900s through the 1960s. Standard Amusements had to do a study to make certain the water depth was acceptable and the pier was solid before making the ferry plan.
