Westchester officials feud as Playland amusement park’s future remains uncertain

Westchester County officials don’t know when the storied Playland amusement park will open for the summer season after a messy breakup with the park’s former management company.

Controversy erupted earlier this year when operator Standard Amusements announced it would terminate its contract to run Playland, located nearly 30 miles from Manhattan, citing Westchester County’s failure to meet “the construction obligations necessary to complete improvements to the park,” despite $150 million in taxpayer spending.

In a sharply worded statement Tuesday, county officials blamed a prior Republican administration for the park’s “heartbreaking” condition, accusing former leaders of cutting a “one-sided” deal with Standard that ultimately leaves taxpayers on the hook.

“This is exactly what happens when someone with a radical ideology, no real experience, no financial skill, and no understanding of how budgets and contracts are built seeks an executive position,” Westchester County Communications Director Catherine Cioffi said.

Cioffi said the original "sweetheart" deal that she said was struck under former County Executive Rob Astorino and brokered by Christine Sculti ultimately cost taxpayers about $125 million — far more than the $30 million initially promised.

On Monday, Sculti — now a candidate for county executive — blamed current County Executive Kenneth Jenkins for Playland’s uncertain future in a social media post.

“Imagine making taxpayers pay $36 million to NOT open Playland!” she wrote, referencing a proposed bond to repay Standard Amusements after the park’s management deal fell apart. “What the heck is Ken Jenkins doing to our county?”

During his “State of the County” address last week, Jenkins said he intends to open Playland in some form this summer, but offered no specifics on timing or which rides and attractions would be available.

“Playland is more than just a park; it is a cherished treasure, the crown jewel of Westchester — a place where memories are made, and community thrives,” Jenkins said. “Despite the legal challenges we face with Standard Amusements, on a bad deal handed to us by a previous administration, a deal that I ultimately voted against because it requires the county to repay all of Standard Amusements’ investments, my intentions remain to open Playland for the 2025 season.”

If the park fails to open, it would mark only the second time Playland has missed a full season in its nearly 100-year history. The first was during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The Westchester county executive’s office, as well as representatives for Playland, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.