Playland To Thrill In 2025 After All With Free Memorial Day Weekend

RYE, NY — Despite some unexpected challenges, Playland Amusement Park will officially open for the 2025 season in time for Memorial Day Weekend.

"Summer in Westchester means a summer spent at Playland, and this summer will be no different," Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, announcing the opening day plans.

Jenkins said the extent of ride availability is still being determined.

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"The condition Standard Amusements left Playland in is deeply disappointing, and reflects the consequences of a poorly structured agreement made during a prior administration," Jenkins said. "The deal, negotiated under then-County Executive Rob Astorino, prioritized privatization over prudent fiscal management and left the county responsible for significant financial liabilities, including the return of 100 percent of Standard Amusements’ investment. As a member of the Board of Legislators in 2016, I voted against this agreement because I believed it did not serve the best interests of Westchester County’s taxpayers or families."

For its part, Standard Amusements said that county officials are misrepresenting the company's actions, insisting that it has taken pains to make sure that ending the relationship was handled responsibly and with duty of care.

"As managers of Playland, Standard Amusements prioritized both the improvement and maintenance of rides to the highest standard, including the winterization of rides after the end of the 2024 season consistent with both previous years and industry standards," the Rye-based company said in a statement provided to Patch. "This is yet another baseless claim from the County to try to distract from its own failures to prioritize Playland. Standard Amusements has made every effort to work with Westchester County to unwind our relationship in a responsible manner because we sincerely want the Park to have a successful season in 2025 and beyond."

The county is working with the New York State Department of Labor, which must inspect and certify the rides before they can open for public use. Jenkins said that the opening of the rides will ultimately be the state's decision.

Playland Beach will also open as scheduled, while the Playland Pool is set to open in June in line with all county pool openings.

Parking at Playland will be reduced to $10, and admission to the park will be completely free for Memorial Day Weekend.

"As we work through this 2025 season, Playland will be totally free Memorial Day weekend for people to enjoy," Jenkins said. "We all love Playland — it's a part of all of us — and we need it to be a part of our summer."

On May 10, and June 7, job fairs will be held at the Westchester County Center in the Exhibition Hall, and a May 17, job fair will take place at Playland Park. All job fairs will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees will need to bring a valid photo I.D. Applicants ages 16 and 17 who plan to complete their application at the fair must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Pay rates start at $16.60 per hour. Open positions include park management, ride operators, ride attendants, lifeguards, cashiers, custodial and painters.

Visit the Westchester Parks website to learn more about upcoming job fairs for Playland Park.