Correction: This article was updated on Sept. 18 to note that any revenue generated from Rye Town Park pavilion rental goes back into the park, as mandated by state legislation, not into the town of Rye’s coffers.
Over the winter, Rye Town Park crews were hard at work replacing the leaky roofs of the park’s beachfront pavilions.
But this summer, it has been the pavilion’s event rentals that have gone through the roof.
Those events have meant both more activity on the waterfront — and more revenue for the park, as the town of Rye works to restore the park’s historic beach buildings.
The numbers are striking.
From April through July, there have been 124 pavilion events — up from just 35 for the same three months in 2024. Per figures compiled by Town of Rye Administrator Debbie Reisner, that has led to an increase in event rental fees to $39,000 from $14,000. The total would have been even greater had the town not waived $6,000 in fees for municipal and school events. Those free events have included a Tuesday night summer concert series — under the repaired pavilion roof.
In terms of cultural diversity — the park is available to residents not just of Rye City but of Port Chester, Rye Brook, and Rye Neck — the event rentals add more to the park than revenue.
This year’s events have included a 9/11 firefighter memorial, graduation parties, a church baptism, gender reveals, baby showers and the town prRYEde festival. The Port Chester Chamber of Commerce chose the pavilions for its Lobsterfest fundraiser.
On almost any evening there may be anything from a company picnic to a “quinceañera” (a traditional celebration in many Latin American cultures of a girl’s 15th birthday), complete with virtuoso “norteño” accordian playing — reflecting that 44 percent of Port Chester residents are foreign-born. One can overhear not just English and Spanish, but Russian as well.
Repairs to the pavilions are not the only reason that bookings have increased, said Town of Rye Council Member Pamela Jaffe. The new online booking link and staff assistance for obtaining certificates of insurance and liquor licenses have helped, she said. “It’s now more of a streamlined process,” she said.
Jaffe also emphasized that the attractiveness of the pavilions relies on their location — on Oakland Beach. As Tripadvisor observed in ranking the beach as the only one in Westchester County among New York’s top 25: “Beautiful piece of history overlooking the lovely Oakland Beach. It’s a peaceful gateway on morning and evening walks. The views are amazing. The sunrise and sunsets are lovely. The chirping of birds etc. just add to the magic.”
And, it might be added, the pavilions are adding to the park’s revenues — and its cultural life.
