Playland (New York) facts for kids

Playland Amusement Park
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
The park's logo
Location	Rye, NY
Nearest city	New York City
Area	280 acres (1.1 km²)
Built	1928
Architect	Frank Darling; Walker & Gillette
Architectural style	Turn-of-the-20th century revival, Art Deco
NRHP reference No.	80004529
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	July 4, 1980
Designated NHL	February 27, 1987

Playland, also known as Rye Playland, is a fun amusement park located in Rye, New York. It sits right along the Long Island Sound. This park was built way back in 1928. The government of Westchester County owns the 280-acre (110 ha) park. Since 2018, a company called Standard Amusements LLC has been in charge of running it.

Playland's Story: How It Began

Early Days: A Park is Born

Ferris wheel at Playland

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the waterfront area of Westchester County was becoming a popular spot. Many hotels, resorts, and small amusement areas were popping up. Some local people were worried about the crowds these places attracted. So, the Westchester County Park Association decided to buy two existing parks, Rye Beach and Paradise Park. Their plan was to create a new, well-organized amusement park for everyone to enjoy.

They hired Frank Darling to design and manage this new park, which they named Playland. He had experience with famous places like Coney Island. A well-known architecture firm, Walker & Gillette, and a landscape designer, Gilmore D. Clarke, helped create the full design. This made Playland the first planned amusement park in the United States!

Building the park started in September 1927 and was finished in just six months. Playland opened its doors on May 26, 1928. Some of the rides ready on opening day included the Grand Carousel, Derby Racers, and the Dragon Coaster. The Airplane Coaster was added later in 1928, and the Casino opened in 1929.

Changes Over the Years

In 1966, a big fire at the park destroyed some classic rides. These included the original Bumper Cars and the "Magic Carpet" Funhouse.

For a couple of years in the early 1980s, a company called Marriott Corporation managed the park. But it lost money, so Westchester County took over running it again in 1983.

Playland was named a National Historic Landmark in 1987. At that time, it was the only amusement park in the country built in the Art Deco style.

Playland in the 2000s

Playland Beach

By 2001, Playland was the most visited park in Westchester, with one million visitors that year. In 2002, three new rides opened: the Kite Flyer, Crazy Mouse, and Sky Skater. The New York Rangers hockey team used to practice at the Playland Ice Casino. Now, the hockey team from Manhattanville College plays its home games there.

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused damage to the park. Parts of the boardwalk were ruined, and the Ice Casino was flooded.

In 2016, the Westchester County government decided to let a company called Standard Amusements manage the park. Standard Amusements agreed to invest money into the park and will manage it for 30 years. Westchester County still owns Playland.

In 2019, Playland added its first new ride since 2008, a Disk'O ride called Dragonator. Sadly, in 2020, Playland did not open for the season because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

What to Do at Playland

If you live in Westchester, you can enter Playland for free just to look around. But to go on the rides, everyone needs to buy a wristband for all-day access. People who don't live in Westchester pay a bit more for entry and the wristband. To keep ride prices low, local businesses can sponsor rides, concerts, and fireworks.

Playland has three main areas. One is a swimming park with a beach and boardwalk. The second is the amusement park, full of rides and games. The third is a boating lake. All the original buildings in the amusement park are in the cool Art Deco style.

Roller Coasters

As of 2017, Playland has five roller coasters.

Exciting Thrill Rides

Playland has many exciting rides!

• The "Grand Carousel" is a beautiful, old carousel from 1915. It has 48 jumping horses and 18 standing horses, all hand-carved and painted! It even has a special music organ that makes figures move.
• The "Derby Racers" is one of only three left in the world! Built in 1927, its horses move back and forth, as well as up and down, like a real gallop. It spins three times faster than a normal carousel, at 25 mph!

Other thrill rides include:

• Dragonator - a Disk'O ride
• Log Flume - a water ride
• Wipeout - an enterprise ride that spins you around
• Playland Yo-Yo - a swing ride that lifts you high
• Thunderbolt
• Starship 2000 Gravitron - a ride that uses spinning to push you against the wall
• Catch a Wave
• Double Shot - a drop tower that shoots you up and drops you down
• The Whip - a classic whip ride that swings you around corners
• Sky Flyer - a pendulum ride that swings back and forth
• Go Karts - race your friends!
• The Plunge - another fun water ride

Kiddyland: Fun for Little Ones

Kiddyland is a special area just for younger children. Some of the rides there are:

• Slime Bucket
• Kiddy Whip - a smaller version of The Whip
• Playland Express - a small train ride
• Himalaya
• Flying Dragons
• Fun Slide
• Red Baron
• Jolly Catepiller
• Swing Around
• Antique Cars
• Motorcycle Jump
• Crazy Submarine
• Sun and Moon
• Kiddy Carousel
• Convoy
• Kiddy Scrambler
• Jungle Jamin
• Jump n' Bean
• Boat Ride
• Mushroom Ride

The Ice Casino

The "Ice Casino" was built in 1929. It used to have a main ice rink and a dance floor upstairs. It also had a restaurant and a cafe. Today, it has a main ice rink and a smaller one. The main rink was updated in 2007.

Free Fun and Shows

Playland offers free entertainment on its main stage. These shows often include dancing and magic. There are also performers walking around the park, like costumed characters and drum acts.

Every Friday night, Playland has amazing fireworks!

Summer Concerts

Playland also hosts a free concert series every summer, usually on Thursdays and Fridays in July and August. Many popular artists have performed here, like Plain White T's, Bowling for Soup, Natasha Bedingfield, Joan Jett, and Cyndi Lauper.

Past Rides at Playland

Former Roller Coasters

Playland has had other roller coasters in the past that are no longer there.

Keeping Playland Safe

The Westchester County Police help keep Playland safe. They are there 24 hours a day from April to October. The park also has seasonal park rangers who help visitors and make sure everyone follows the rules.

Westchester County Parks Emergency Medical Service provides first aid at two stations in the park. If someone needs more help, ambulance services are available. The Rye Fire Department handles any fire or rescue calls at Playland.

Images for kids

• 

  Playland Beach

• 

  Airplane Coaster in 1928.