Lawmakers discuss details of Playland improvement plan

The Westchester County Board of Legislators held a meeting of the Labor, Parks, Planning and Housing Committee with members of  the Budget and Appropriations Committee on Wednesday as part of the ongoing review of Standard Amusements’ proposal to operate the county-owned Playland park under a 15-year management agreement with Westchester County.

Playland amusement park in Rye.

In the meeting, committee members discussed the terms of Standard’s contract to spend $22.75 million on capital projects to improve the park. A spending schedule presented Wednesday showed the company spending the amount within three years, according to a news release.

Standard Amusements’ current capital plan for the Rye amusement park calls for $5 million on new rides, $4.5 million on the pool and new water attractions, $2 million for the restoration of historic rides, $2.5 million for food stands and $1 million to renovate bathrooms in the bathhouse.

Still to be determined is who will assume responsibility for making repairs to permanent structures in the park. A recent news release from the Board of Legislators estimated those costs to reach into the millions of dollars.

Legislator Peter Harckham, D-North Salem, chairman of the parks and planning committee, said he hoped a definite repair plan could be completed as soon as possible.

“I very much hope that Standard’s team and the county executive get together and determine who will be responsible for the repairs,” Harckham said. “Any 15-year plan to run Playland must include a plan to mitigate the disrepair.”

On Thursday, legislators will take a walking tour of Playland with representatives from Standard Amusements.