Iconic Playland only partially open after Westchester taxpayers dish out $1.7M emergency contract
Playland amusement park in Rye opened with only limited rides this weekend after politicians handed out a $1.7 million no-bid 'emergency' contract – with Westchester County taxpayers on the hook for mounting bills.
The county government — which owns the iconic park on the Long Island Sound — signed the deal in a rush to get Playland open for summer with ride manufacturer Zamperla, a company that has done work with County Executive Ken Jenkins' former campaign manager.
The scramble came after private operator Standard Amusement told the county it planned to end its management contract after Westchester allegedly failed to live up to the terms of the deal.
8 Westchester County's Playland Park opened this weekend with only some rides operating.
Stephen Yang
But Jenkins, a Democrat, has come under fire for the emergency contract after Standard apparently informed the county of its intention to end the agreement in November, then officially opted out in February.
'Mr. Jenkins has misled Westchester residents and is sticking them with a massive bill,' said Christine Sculti, the Republican candidate for county executive earlier this month.
She assailed the contract as a 'political emergency' for Jenkins.
Jenkins and other county leaders cut the ribbon to the park's opening Saturday – and then patted themselves on the back even though most rides were still closed, leading to long lines at times.
'Opening this park in time for Memorial Day Weekend wasn't easy,' Jenkins said in a statement.
8 The county signed a $1.7 million no-bid 'emergency' contract with ride operator Zamperla to get the park open in time for summer.
Stephen Yang
8 The rush to find a new operator came after Standard Amusement told the county it planned to terminate its contract —claiming Westchester failed to live up to its end of the deal.
Stephen Yang
'It took hustle. It took late nights, early mornings, and a team of County employees who refused to give anything less than 100 percent.'
So far, only eight of 21 rides at Kiddyland are available while other rides, like the renowned Dragon Coaster and Derby Racer, are closed for now.
Five of the 20 rides for older patrons were available with two of three newer rides open Memorial Day weekend.
8 Christine Sculti, the Republican candidate for county executive, blasted Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins for allegedly misleading county residents and sticking them with a 'massive' bill.
Stephen Yang
Jenkins previously has blamed the uncertainty on Standard for not keeping rides updated – an assertion the company has called 'fabrications.' He also has slammed Rob Astorino — a Republican former county executive who left office in 2017 — for the park's ongoing struggles.
Standard said it poured more than $35 million into the park during its management dating back to 2021 and spent $1 million a year the past three years for ride maintenance.
'The County claims Standard Amusements left the park in 'Heartbreaking Shape' — the reality is that Standard Amusements inherited a park in such condition, and the County is now taking over a much-improved park,' the company said in press release this month.
8 Construction materials seen on the ground near a rollercoaster at Playland on May 8, 2025.
Stephen Yang
8 Only 8 of 21 rides at Playland's Kiddyland are open.
Stephen Yang
The county might be forced to pay Standard as much as $36 million if an arbitrator finds the county was at fault for the agreement crumbling. Westchester though is fighting to possibly recoup funds from Standard if it's found the company left rides in bad shape.
Jenkins has argued the county put $150 million into the park over several years.
While Playland is going back to being operated by the county, it's paying Zamperla through the end of September to inspect and maintain certain rides, according to The Journal News.
Zamperla had teamed with Jenkins' campaign manager and amusement park consultant Joe Montalto to bid on running the park before Standard was chosen as its operator.
8 Construction work underway at Playland on May 8, 2025 ahead of the opening.
Stephen Yang
8 Residents seen outside Playland on May 8, 2025.
Stephen Yang
In 2019, when Jenkins was deputy county executive, Westchester hired Montalto's High Mountain Enterprises to install a ride in the park — and he helped broker a contract for that work with Zamperla.
A county spokesperson told The Post in an email earlier this month Montalto is no longer directly involved in Playland.
'Joe Montalto was a long term County employee who ran Playland for many years, however at this time he is not involved in the County's operation of Playland or in this Administration,' the spokesperson said.
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