Westchester Lawmakers Tour Rye Playland, Size Up Proposed Projects

Westchester County Legislators took a tour of Rye Playland Monday to review an impending management agreement with Standard Amusements.

Officials said the tour focused on the 11 capital projects that Standard Amusements wants the county to undertake.

The proposed projects are estimated to cost $58 million and would be funded through low-interest bonds.

During the tour, the lawmakers concentrated on some of the “big ticket” items, such as the $20 million rehab of the historic colonnades and towers, $10 million for structural restoration and $4 million to get rid of the pool and renovate the fountain at the park’s main entrance.

A spokeman for the Legislators said the goal of the review process was to shrink the cost of the capital improvements.

Legislator MaryJane Shimsky, chairwoman of the Infrastructure Committee, said it was useful to go to the park and consider the projects in context.

“However, I found myself growing increasingly concerned by the deteriorating condition of portions of the park, caused by years of neglect and by the lack of specificity for the proposed capital projects,” she said.

Photo caption 1: Playland’s art-deco colonnades have been designated as historical landmarks. The current proposed cost to rehab the colonnades is $10 million. Photo caption 2: The fountain at Playland’s main entrance is in need of a complete rehab. Photo credit: Courtesy.