Westchester County officials plan to announce Friday which rides will be up and running at Playland — one day before the embattled historic park opens for the season.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, a Democrat, plans to tour Playland with media on Friday. Catherine Cioffi, the county’s communications director, confirmed Jenkins would disclose the waterfront park’s ride availability at the press briefing.
The county has been scrambling to open the amusement park on time this year, after its for-profit management partner Standard Amusements announced in late January it would be exiting their 30-year management contract after just three years.
Earlier this month, Jenkins admitted he didn’t know which rides would be operable in time for opening day. That was after the county declared an “emergency situation” at the Rye-based amusement park in order to hire an Italian ride manufacturer — Zamperla, Inc. — without competitive bidding to inspect, repair, and maintain the rides at Playland.
The $1.7 million contract with Zamperla contract runs through Sept. 30, Lohud reported. The company runs Luna Park on Coney Island, and owns 11 of the 48 rides at Playland.
Meanwhile, the county plans to offer free admission this weekend and a reduced parking rate of $10 for entry into Playland.
“As we work through this 2025 season, Playland will be totally free Memorial Day weekend for people to enjoy,” Jenkins said in a previous statement. “We all love Playland — it’s part of all of us — and we need it to be a part of our summer.”
