Playland’s future is in question as Westchester County officials continue to feud with operators, Standard Amusements, who announced plans to terminate their contract to run the beloved Art Deco amusement park.
The park’s 280-acres of land is owned by Westchester County.
In 2022 then Westchester County Executive George Latimer, turned over management of Playland to Standard Amusements, a private firm.
Just three years into their 30 year agreement with Westchester County, Standard Amusements announced they were calling it quits, saying the County failed to meet construction obligations and missed contractual deadlines.
The Playland website has instructions for people seeking refunds for group visits or season passes purchased through Standard Amusements.
In February, Westchester County initiated arbitration against Standard Amusements over the Playland management dispute, saying the company wrongfully attempted to terminate the agreement.
In a release at the end of January, Standard Amusements said, in part, “…fully realizing our vision required the County to meet the construction obligations necessary to complete improvements to the park. Despite spending over $150 million of taxpayer money— already surpassing their $125 million budget intended to cover completion of the entire project—the County has proven incapable and is nowhere near done.”
The county denied these claims and alleged that Standard Amusements mismanaged the park.
Earlier this week, Republican Christine Sculti, the former Chief Advisor to Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, posted a Facebook comment on a link to a New York Post article about the financial consequences of Playland failing to open this summer, saying, “Imagine making taxpayers pay $36 million to NOT open Playland! What the heck is Ken Jenkins doing to our county?!”
A Democrat, Mr. Jenkins is the current Westchester County Executive. In a February special election, Jenkins, a Democrat, defeated Sculti by a 64%-36% margin.
On April 29, Westchester County Communications Director Catherine Cioffi, released a statement pointing a figure at Sculti.
“We all grew up going to Playland. Instead of protecting it, Christine Sculti handed us a disastrous, one-sided deal that sold out taxpayers and left the County holding the bag — having to return 100% of Standard Amusements’ investment,” Cioffi said. “That’s why County Executive Ken Jenkins voted against this agreement in 2016 when he was on the Board of Legislators.”
Cioffi continued, “We fought to get out of this deal after determining the real cost to Westchester taxpayers was not $30 million but $125 million — and yes, now we’re all paying the price. 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.”
On Wednesday, Mr. Jenkins said during his annual State of the County speech that it was his intention to have the amusement park open for the 2025 season.
Typically the historic park opens in late May.
The amusement park was originally owned and managed by the Westchester County Parks Commission.
There have been different arrangements over the years, before Standard Amusements entered the lease for the park for three decades starting in 2022.
Playland was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
Photo: Leslie Yager
