Playland, also known as Rye Playland and Playland Amusement Park is a popular amusement park in Rye, New York. This Westchester County attraction opened in 1928 and it has been going strong ever since. At almost 100-years-old, this park has seen several generations of young people and their families pass through. Because of this fact, people drive from all over to visit Playland today with their own children, and to ride some of the rides they rode, their parents rode, and even their grandparents rode many years ago. This place is nostalgia encapsulated, and it’s a wonderful place to visit every year if you can. Read on to learn more.
The Westchester County Park Association bought two existing theme parks - Rye Beach and Paradise Park - in the 1920s. The county hired veteran park manage Frank Darling to design and run its new park, Playland.
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In 1927, construction began on Playland, and the park opened on May 26, 1928.
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The Grand Carousel was one of the rides available to patrons on the first day the park opened. It’s still operational and is enjoyed by all. The horses are hand painted, of course.
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Another ride that has been in the park since the very beginning is the Dragon Coaster. This wooden coaster offers a ride that is a minute and forty seconds in length; the highest point is 80 feet.
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Over the years, Playland added many rides. Today, there are five roller coasters in the park, plus numerous thrill rides and rides for small children.
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All the rides at Playland are popular, but many returning guests most enjoy riding rides that they themselves rode as children, now with their own children at their side.
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The fact that some of the rides are clearly from a different era is one of the biggest draws of the park.
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The Ice Casino is another feature that dates back to almost the very beginning. It was built in 1929 and its Art Deco design is striking. Inside, park visitors can ice skate.
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Miniature golf is another fun activity at Playland.
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There’s even a public pool for swimming.
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There’s also a beach area. Many generations of children have spent summer days swimming here.
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Playland is wonderful, and it seems likely that this park will be around for generations to come. It’s no wonder that it has such a special place in the hearts of so many.
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Playland is the perfect place to go if you want to step back in time and be reminded of the ways that life seemed so much simpler back then. Even if you’ve never been to Playland before, it has a magical ability to transport visitors back to their youth. You’ll fall in love with this place. Plan a trip there today!
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Believe it or not, Playland is not the oldest amusement park in New York – Midway State Park in western New York is over two decades older. Learn more about it here: New York’s Midway State Park Is One Of The Oldest Continually Operating Amusement Parks In The U.S.
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Address: Playland Amusement Park East Lane, Rye, NY 10580, USA
