2 Playland Rides To Be Restored

RYE, NY — Two of Playland Park's most famous rides will be restored. The county Board of Legislators unanimously approved financing Monday for the restoration of the Derby Racer and the Grand Carousel.

The approved work includes a complete overhaul of the park's 104-year-old Carousel, whose roof was damaged in a 2017 fire.

Also approved was the reconstruction of the building that houses the Derby Racer, which was built in 1927.

Both of the rides are on the National Register of Historic Places.

The board approved funding of $5.57 million for the Carousel reconstruction and $5 million for the Derby Racer.

The Carousel project includes rebuilding the structure, the addition of fire breaks in the roof to inhibit the spread of fire in the future, the replacement of the sprinkler system and the installation of new electrical systems.

The county said it expects to recover a significant part of the cost of the Carousel work from insurance.

In addition, the county will receive about $465,000 in Historic Preservation Grant money for the project from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

The Carousel is expected to re-open next season.

Majority Leader Catherine Parker, a Democrat from Rye, in whose district Playland is located, said it was exciting to see the county fully committed to bringing the rides back to their glory.

"This has been a great summer at Playland, with attendance up significantly over recent years, and the first new ride installed at the park in more than a decade," she said. "Approval of these renovations is another step in Playland's renewal."

SEE ALSO: New Ride Set To Debut At Rye Playland

Find and “Like” Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.