The gates of Playland Park will open for the season on May 23 this year, following a tumultuous 2025 season where many rides remained closed for the whole summer.
Westchester County officials on Monday promised the beloved Dragon Coaster, which has been undergoing maintenance, will be up and running starting on opening day. But for multiple other rides, the availability still remains unclear.
“We will be announcing which rides will be open when we open, but things are looking really good, and that’s good for the people of Westchester and beyond,” County Parks Deputy Director Peter Tartaglia said Monday.
Rye’s historic amusement park, which is owned by the county, opened last season with more than 25 rides down. Playland’s main attractions – the Dragon Coaster, the Ferris wheel, and the log flume – remained closed all of last season.
County Parks officials scrambled to open on time in 2025, after Westchester and for-profit management partner Standard Amusements parted ways three years into their 30-year contract.
Following the breakup, county officials declared an “emergency situation” at Playland last spring over the state of its rides, and hired an Italian ride manufacturer — Zamperla, Inc. — with a no-bid contract to inspect, repair, and maintain the rides at the park.
Tartaglia on Monday said the Parks Department has committed to park improvements this off-season.
“There’s work being done on every ride and every facility within the park,” he said.
The park will be open from noon to 10 p.m. for the grand opening starting May 23, and continuing through Memorial Day on May 25. Starting in June, Playland will be adopting a Wednesday through Saturday schedule.
