The kids are alright: NY’s Playland amusement park will open this month

Westchester County’s iconic amusement park Playland will open Memorial Day Weekend after weeks of uncertainty.

County officials said in a conference Wednesday morning they’re also opening up the park for free during the weekend. The opening had been called into question amid a dispute with the park’s former operator, Standard Amusements, which Westchester County officials say terminated its contract while leaving the 100-year-old park in disrepair, with many rides disassembled entirely.

”We all love Playland,” Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said during a conference Wednesday. “It's part of all of us. I have pictures of me and my wife of 43 years hanging out in Playland before while we were dating. Everybody wants to see Playland work and be operational. We have to do this and we will do it safely and responsibly.”

Westchester officials issued an emergency order last month to let them skip competitive bidding and hire amusement ride manufacturer Zamperla to inspect, repair and maintain rides this year. Inspections are continuing, and that means all rides and attractions may not be operating during opening weekend, officials said.

During Wednesday’s announcement, county officials berated Standard Amusements, saying that in addition to abandoning its contract, the company left rides out for the winter and vulnerable to the Long Island Sound's elements.

”The condition Standard Amusements left Playland in, it was deeply disappointing and reflects the consequences of a poorly structured agreement made during the prior administration,” Jenkins said.

Standard has previously said the county failed to make promised infrastructure upgrades despite $150 million in public spending, and accused Westchester of missing construction deadlines.

In a statement Wednesday, the company alleged Westchester officials were misrepresenting facts and deflecting blame for Playland's problems, saying Standard provided enough time for Westchester to get the park ready, frequently sent communications to the county, flagged the need to review ride maintenance early and made efforts to work toward an orderly transition. The company also said it had made significant investments into a park that was already in disrepair when it took over in 2021.

More rides will open as the season goes on, Westchester officials said. County officials said ticket prices after Memorial Day weekend will depend on how many rides open after more state inspections.

“It'll be in that affordable category,” Jenkins said. “People know this well from around the county. They're not going to Six Flags, they're not going to Legoland, they're not taking one of those major trips to those amusement parks.  It can't cost $200 to go to the amusement park. ”

Playland is located about 30 miles north of New York City.

This story has been updated with more information.