The three-person arbitration panel hearing the dispute between Westchester County and Standard Amusements over Standard’s termination of its contract to manage the amusement park on July 25 awarded a second victory to the county.
The arbitrators denied in full Standard’s motion for reconsideration of the arbitrators’ previous decision that Standard’s notice that it was terminating the management contract was not valid.
The arbitration panel is comprised of former judges Jonathan Lippman, Shira A. Scheindlin, and Anthony J. Carpinello. They concluded that Westchester County acted within its rights under the Playland Management Agreement and that Standard’s attempt to terminate the agreement was invalid and void. At the heart of the decision was the county’s legal right to cure any alleged failure to complete 70% of capital projects by a specified date — an essential protection that Standard ignored in its termination notice.
In a previous June 26 decision, the arbitration panel sided with the county on cross motions for summary judgment, affirming that the Management Agreement provided the county the right to cure any alleged defaults and that Standard’s January 21, 2025, termination notice was legally deficient. Standard filed a motion for reconsideration.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “Playland is the people’s park – now and always. This ruling reaffirms what we have said all along: Westchester County has honored its commitments and acted in good faith to revitalize and protect Playland for future generations. The panel’s decision not only upholds the integrity of our agreement—it sends a strong message that Westchester will not be bullied. We remain committed to the continued enhancement of Playland which is a crown jewel of Westchester.”
In its decision, the panel said, in part that Standard’s instant motion improperly attempts to present arguments different from those originally presented and seeks successive opportunities to reargue issues.
Jenkins added, “Today’s decision is more than just a legal win — it’s a victory for good government, accountability, and the residents of Westchester County – especially the children for whom this park is for. We are grateful to the panel for its thorough and impartial review, and we are ready to move forward.”
