Sustainable Playland’s plan to reinvent the park took another hit this week, when County Legislator Catherine Parker withdrew her support for the plan, after the meeting of the Board of Legislators Labor/Parks/Planning/Housing Committee, with SPI’s attorney and representatives of the County Executive’s Office May 13.

By Robin Jovanovich

Sustainable Playland’s plan to reinvent the park took another hit this week, when County Legislator Catherine Parker withdrew her support for the plan, after the meeting of the Board of Legislators Labor/Parks/Planning/Housing Committee, with SPI’s attorney and representatives of the County Executive’s Office May 13. In an announcement, Parker stated that while she appreciated the time and effort that SPI members and associates have put into the plan, “too many answers to important questions are missing…. and I do not believe SPI’s current plan constitutes a viable and proper future for Playland.”

She continued, “Right now, there are no assurances as to how the County will benefit financially from the agreement, and without this I would suggest that this deal with SPI will be a bad one for Rye, and for County taxpayers.”

Furthermore, with the outcry from Playland neighbors about traffic, insufficient parking, and the proposed size of the field house, “all these factors point to the SPI plan being buried in litigation,” said Parker.

Later that day, Parker told the paper, “Even if the SPI plan is approved, I’m very concerned about the financials going forward, and we haven’t even gotten into them fully.

“It’s time for us to go back and take another look at the proposals from Standard Amusement and Central Amusement. Both submitted good plans that will put real money back in park, and maintain the character. They will have to go through the same review process as SPI.” She added, with emphasis, “I want to have a plan in place for 2015.” 

The following day SPI spokesman Geoff Thompson issued a response: “We respect Legislator Parker’s decision, but remain committed to restoring Playland park and adding new facilities for year-round use of the park.”