Playland Packed!
Playland packed this weekend. Helicopter demonstration, music, rides and roller-coasters.
Playland Helps Raise $38 Million: Great Cause
Playland is Westchester County’s number one rallying point for fundraisers and has helped raise awareness and tens of millions of dollars for worthy causes over the years.
The latest Playland event helped raise $38 million to cure cystic fibrosis.
County Gets it Right
The first of two magnificent tower renovations is nearing completion and the seahorses reign again. The stunning workmanship is truly inspiring — a great start to the summer.
Cupola before being positioned at the top of the tower.
Tower pre-cupola.
Playland Catching a Wave in 2012
Making a Splash Opening Day 2012!
Great Opening Day 2012
Great Crowd this weekend!
Same Food Different Year: Playland and Culinart
Like the food at Rye Playland? Let Mr. Pacifico know: jpacifico@culinartinc.com
Would other concessionaires offer higher quality food at reasonable prices? It’s hard to know because the agreement with Culinart is a lease/licence/concesion and exempt from Westchester’s Procurement Policy under Section 3 (b)
(Source: westchestergov.com, culinartinc.com, virtualglobetrotting.com)
2012 Rye Playland Concerts: Procurement Policy Sidestepped
Westchester County is teaming up with Big Bar Entertainment llc of the Bronx to hold six concerts on Monday nights. Big Bar is renting Playland for approximately $25,000 per concert or 17% of gate receipts, whichever is greater. In addition, the County will split parking revenue 50/50 with Big Bar.
Westchester County will staff the park at an estimated cost of $25,428 per concert.
Would other concert promoters offer more and bring in better acts? It’s hard to know because the agreement with Big Bar is a lease/licence/concesion and exempt from Westchester’s Procurement Policy under Section 3 (b).
A mysterious process will decide the fate of Playland in 2012.
County Officials Baffled by Playland Attendance
RYE, NY— In a surprising turn of events, lots of people showed up to Playland last month. “While it’s true we’ve been doing everything possible to keep people away, you can imagine our surprise when lines formed at the Dragon Coaster and other signature rides,” assistant park director Dan McAlvan said yesterday. Experts are still unsure exactly what’s driving demand, pointing to more than fifty basic weaknesses in the way the county chooses to operate and market the park.
“We botched the 4th of July fireworks, dragged our feet on the bathhouse renovation, jacked up the price of the baseball toss, took away the dragon coaster photos, monkeyed with the admission policy, served unappetizing food, blasted 1980’s elevator music — heck, we even threw heaps of smelly trash by the front entrance — yet the crowds keep showing up,” said McAlvan. “I just don’t get it, good thing it’s been rainy.”
A spokesperson for the county executive shared McAlvan’s mixture of confusion and resolve. “We’re not giving up, we’ll shut down Playland Parkway if we have to,” said the official. “Only fish, birds and people with boats will be able to get there.”
Seagulls eye piles of trash “parked” just steps from the main entrance.
Mamaroneck Sends Harbor Island Proposal to Playland Committee
After years debating the merits of installing view-obstructing inflatable bubbles on prime waterfront parkland in Mameroneck, village officials decide to package up the Harbor Island proposal and send it to the Playland Commitee. “It didn’t work for us but maybe it will work for them,” said village planner Roger Scott.
Critics of the Harbor Island proposal object to giving up waterfront park space to a private company, having public assets used to obtain private financing (which the operator cant get on their own), giving up ninety percent of the profits (if any) to a private company; having taxpayers stuck with the facility just around the time it’s due for an overhaul or demolition.
“Fine with us, Playland’s pretty close to Mameroneck,” said a spokesperson for the sports operator proposing the facility. “We don’t really care where the bubbles go as long as the ground is flat,” adding it cant be too windy either.
Go Cart Line is long but it moves fast!
Playland 4th of July Fireworks.
