The day after County Executive Rob Astorino announced he had signed a new operation agreement for Playland, the Board of Legislators began its scrutiny.

By Robin Jovanovich

The day after County Executive Rob Astorino announced he had signed a new operation agreement for Playland, the Board of Legislators began its scrutiny.

On a conference call with Legislators Catherine Parker, Peter Harckham, and Catherine Borgia, they stressed that the Board of Legislators “exposed the weaknesses of the first deal” [with Sustainable Playland], and that the process is going to be no less important this time.

“We know Nick Singer and his overall operation of Standard Amusements. It’s a credible organization and the Board has had good discussions with them,” said Harckham. “The devil is in the details, and we want the best deal for Westchester.”

Borgia, who represents District 9, added, “At the BOL, we feel our involvement in this process keenly. And we have the power of the purse.”

Parker, who represents Rye, Harrison, Mamaroneck, Larchmont, and New Rochelle, emphasized the importance of public input. “I have already received lots of calls and emails about the fields and the water feature. There might be a way to have the proposed temporary fields and have all concerns satisfied.” 

“We not only have to dig deep into the management agreement,” Parker continued, “but make sure that the City of Rye is involved and that the traffic impacts are fully outlined.” 

One of Parker’s immediate concerns is that this is a different deal than the one Standard presented the first time. “Initially, they offered to spend $25,000,000 for a ten-year agreement; the new agreement is for 15 years.”

Harckham, who represents District 2, said the Board would meet weekly and plans a site visit before Playland opens May 9. “The good news is that we’ve been down this road before; the bad news is that we’ve been down this road before.”

The Board of Legislators has scheduled a public hearing on Playland May 20 at 7 p.m.