WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications, (EDITED) August 27, 2010: UPDATED AUGUST 31,2010: 

As County Executive Robert P. Astorino said he  would on last week's exclusive WHITE PLAINS WEEK  worldwide internet telecast with him, Mr. Astorino officially called for "Visionary Proposals" from developers who are interested in presenting a plan for the future of Playland Park.

Edwin McCormack, spokesperson for the County Executive, asked if changes in admission or management or Playland budget would be effective in the upcoming 2011 Budget year, or be budgeted with no change told WPCNR Monday in a written statement: "EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE INCLUDING THE ADMISSION POLICY FOR 2011 – PAY ONE PRICE OR FREE ADMISSION. IT WILL BE ANALYSED AFTER THE SEASON.

Asked when  the County Executive envisions any "contract" becoming effective...say 2012 Budget year, McCormack stated:  WE NEED TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT PROPOSALS COME BACK AND WHAT THEY WOULD ENTAIL WE WILL HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF TIMING AFTER THE RFP PROCESS.

Proposals would be due in February 2011, and would take until June for the county to evaluate the county news release said. Tours are available to potential developers on October 13, as well as private appointments for interested organizations. The time frame of the proposal appears to mean the county is committed to a budget incorporating Playland as is for at least 2011 with possible tweaks in operations, but WPCNR is in process of checking this with the Department of Communications.

The Dragon Coaster - County Executive Astorino's favorite ride.

Astorino today released the RFP (Request for Proposals) that invites formal, detailed submissions for the use of the Long Island Sound property in the City of Rye, which includes an amusement park, boardwalk, beach, pool, and ice casino.

The RFP covers approximately 100 acres of the larger 280-acre Playland property. A critical feature is that its focus goes beyond the historic amusement park. Scenic vistas and a beautiful beach on  Long Island Sound, an Olympic-size swimming pool, an extensive waterfront boardwalk, fishing piers, boating lake, dining and picnic areas, a proposed children’s museum, and an indoor ice skating rink, as well as the amusement park, can all be utilized, or not, in the plans submitted by developers. The only thing outside the bounds of the RFP is the Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary.

“Previous attempts to solve Playland’s problems have faltered because their scope was limited to the amusement park,” Astorino said. “This RFP is essentially a blank sheet of paper that is looking for entrepreneurial imagination to unlock the full recreational and entertainment value of the property at large.”  

The RFP is posted at the county’s website at www.westchestergov.com/rfp.  Formal proposals are due Feb. 10, 2011; the county estimates it would spend about three months reviewing these proposals. Under the RFP process, the county is not obligated to accept any of the plans proposed. Throughout the process, the public will have numerous opportunities to ask questions and give comments.

On Oct. 13, the county will hold an informational meeting at Playland for those interested in possibly submitting a proposal. Tours will also be available by appointment with the Parks Department. Ideas may include keeping all or part of the amusement park or proposing an entirely new use for the property. However, the RFP does prohibit residential use.

            Since 1928, the focal point of the property has been the amusement park, which today has 50 major rides and attractions and covers about 30 acres. The prototype of today’s modern theme parks, Playland was the country’s first totally planned amusement park. Seven of its rides and several of its art deco buildings are designated as National Historic Landmarks.

Westchester County currently owns and operates the park – one of only a handful of governmental bodies to be in the amusement park business. With attendance steadily dropping over the past five years -- from 1 million in 2005 to 615,000 last year -- park ownership has translated into greater taxpayer subsidies.

Westchester County is not necessarily looking to make a profit off Playland, although such an outcome would certainly be welcome. As is the case with its other parks, the county’s interest is to provide broad access to a resource that enhances the quality of life of residents. The mission, therefore, is to balance access with affordability.  

“I recognize that Playland is an emotional issue for many of us in Westchester, but I also think the vast majority agree that something needs to be done if we want to be fiscally responsible,” Astorino said. “This is just the beginning of what will certainly be a long process. What’s exciting is that we have a chance to invent the future.”