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Playland (New York)

(Redirected from Rye Playland)
This article is about the amusement park in Rye, New York. For other uses, see Playland (disambiguation).

Playland, often called Rye Playland and also known as Playland Amusement Park, is an amusement park located in Rye, New York, along the Long Island Sound. Built in 1928, the 280-acre (110 ha) park is owned by the Westchester County government. Beginning in 2018 the park has been operated under contract by Standard Amusements.[3]

Playland
Playland Logo
Playland Logo
LocationRye, New York, U.S.
Opened1928
OwnerWestchester County Government
Operated byStandard Amusements LLC
Slogan"Have some fun today!"
Operating seasonYear-Round
Area280 acres (113.3 ha)
Attractions
Total46
Roller coasters5
Water rides3
Websiteplayland.com
Playland Amusement Park
The park's old logo
Coordinates40°57′57″N 73°40′26″W / 40.96583°N 73.67389°W / 40.96583; -73.67389
Area280 acres (110 ha)
Built1928
ArchitectFrank Darling; Walker & Gillette
Architectural styleTurn-of-the-20th century revival, Art Deco
NRHP reference No.80004529
NYSRHP No.11915.000039
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJuly 4, 1980[1]
Designated NHLFebruary 27, 1987 [2]
Designated NYSRHPJune 23, 1980

History

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Late 19th and early 20th centuries

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Ferris wheel at Playland

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Playland's waterfront area of Westchester County along the Long Island Sound was the site of a growing collection of recreational developments, including hotels, resorts, and "amusement areas". Local residents concerned about "unsavory crowds" petitioned the Westchester County Park Association to purchase two existing theme parks, Rye Beach and Paradise Park, and replace them with a local-government-sponsored amusement park.

Frank Darling, a veteran park manager with experience at Coney Island and the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, was hired to design and run the new park, called Playland. The well-known NYC architectural firm Walker & Gillette and landscape architect Gilmore D. Clarke were commissioned to produce a comprehensive design of both buildings and grounds, making Playland the first planned amusement park in the country.[4]

Construction commenced in September 1927, and was completed in six months. The park began operation on May 26, 1928. Rides that were operating on Playland's opening day included the Grand Carousel, Derby Racers, The "Original" Whip (there is a historic sign referencing its 1928 creation) and the Dragon Coaster. The Airplane Coaster was added in 1928 while the Casino opened in 1929.

Late 20th century

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In 1966, a major fire at the amusement park claimed some of Rye Playland's all-time classic attractions, including the original Bumper Car ride and the "Magic Carpet" Funhouse.

The Marriott Corporation managed the park in 1981 and 1982 as part of a two-year experimental period.[5] During those two seasons, the park was run at a loss in excess of $5 million. Westchester County took over operation in 1983.[6]

Playland was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987.[2][7][8] At the time, it was the United States' only Art Deco amusement park.[9]

21st century

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Playland Beach

By 2001, Playland was Westchester's most visited park, seeing one million visitors that year. For the 2002 season, Playland unveiled three new rides: the Kite Flyer, Crazy Mouse, and Sky Skater.[9] Until the beginning of the 2002–2003 National Hockey League season, the New York Rangers practiced at the Playland Ice Casino. Currently, as of 2023, the hockey team from Manhattanville College, located in nearby Purchase, plays its home games at Playland.[10]

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy claimed parts of Playland's boardwalk, flooded and caused substantial damage to the Ice Casino, and scattered debris throughout Read Sanctuary.[citation needed]

In May 2016, the Westchester County Board of Legislators voted 13–4 to give control of the park to a management company called Standard Amusements. Standard Amusements agreed to invest $27.5 million into the park, which it will manage for 30 years. Westchester County maintains ownership of the park, and will receive an annual base rent and 8% of the park's profits after Standard Amusements has recouped its initial investment.[11][12]

In 2019, Playland unveiled its first ride since 2008, a Disk'O half-pipe made by Zamperla.[13] Playland did not operate its 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[14]

In 2022, Playland began its $125 million 5-year revitalization project. 2022 saw the rebuild of the Derby Racer canopy, new and updated bathrooms across the park, new and updated midway games, as well as 3 new rides- Catch N' Air, Old Rye Motorbike Factory, and the Tornado.[citation needed]

Attractions

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Admission to Playland is free for Westchester residents who wish to observe the attractions. However, visitors must pay for a wristband that will give them all-day access to ride all of the attractions. Non-Westchester residents must pay admission to get inside Playland and an additional fee for the wristband. Westchester residents generally also pay a lower price for the wristbands than non-Westchester residents.[15][16] To keep the price of each ride low, Westchester County's government offers sponsorships to businesses in exchange for annual naming rights for a ride, in addition to sponsorships for concerts, fireworks, and revues.[17][18]

Walker & Gillette's asymmetrical beaux arts plan integrated Playland's three major components. The first component, a swimming park, is defined by a semi-elliptical beach, boardwalk, and arcade. At the center of this arcade, a Spanish Revival bathhouse and pool terminates the automobile approach along Playland Parkway and its twin towers frame a view of Long Island Sound. The second component, an amusement park, is laid out along an axial landscaped mall at roughly 90 degrees to the Parkway approach. An entrance plaza with central fountain at the beach end of this axis is defined by corner pavilions and anchored by a casino and ice rink building. The axial mall is flanked by colonnades which serve to visually organize the various rides, games, and restaurants on each outboard side. A midway cross-axis terminates in a gate at the large parking lot on its inland end and at a promontory at its waterside end. The main axis terminates in a 100 foot tall Music Tower that now has a performance stage at its base. All original amusement park buildings are in an Art Deco style. The third component, a boating lake, lies beyond the tower. Its boathouse consists of two pavilions symmetrically flanking a central colonnade, facing a terrace and boat dock and the lake.

Playland is home to the "Grand Carousel", a 1915 Mangels-Carmel carousel. It has four rows with 48 jumpers, 18 standers and three chariots. It was originally in New Haven, Connecticut, and moved to Playland when the park opened in 1927. The Grand Carousel has a rare band organ built by the Gavioli company in Italy. The organ enclosure features two male figures that strike bells in time to the music while the central female figure moves a baton. The Grand Carousel contains designs including those on the horses that are completely hand-carved and painted by Charles Carmel from Brooklyn, New York. The horses possess many unique traits that include elaborate "fish scale" blankets, inlaid gemstones, armor and lolling tongues on several.

Playland is also home to one of only three still in existence.[19] The Derby Racer was built in 1927 for Playland by Prior & Church with horses carved by Marcus Charles Illions, a turn of the century New York carousel horse carver. The Derby Racer rotates at 25 miles per hour (40 km/h) - three times the speed of a normal carousel. The horses move back and forth as well as up and down, simulating a true gallop as it races around the track. The other "Derby Racing Carousels" are located at Cedar Point,[20] in Sandusky, Ohio; and Blackpool Pleasure Beach,[21] in Blackpool, Lancashire, United Kingdom. Playland also features an upcharge Go Kart track.

Playland was used for some scenes in the Movie "Big".

Roller coasters

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Name Manufacturer Type (Model) Year Opened Stats Description
Crazy Mouse Zamperla Steel (wild mouse) 2003 Traditional Wild Mouse roller coaster.[22]
Dragon Coaster Frederick Church Wooden 1929 3400 feet of track – 80 feet high – Approx 45 mph[23] The Dragon Coaster serves as the park's mascot and appears in the Playland logo. Designed and built by amusement ride creator Frederick A. Church, it has a tunnel along its span. The tunnel resembles the body of a dragon, and the opening of the tunnel resembles a dragon's mouth. The dragon has eyes that light up, and it blows steam from its nostrils. Playland Park removed the classic Prior and Church trains in 1989 and replaced them with Morgan trains because the P.T.C.s did not have up-to-date safety technology such as lap bars and other items. The Dragon Coaster is classified as one of the park's seven "classic" rides.
Family Flyer Zamperla Steel (family gravity coaster) 2001 262 feet of track - 13 feet high[24] A short roller coaster with a helix and small drops.
Kiddie Coaster Rudyard Stephen Uzzell Wood 1928 An ACE Coaster Classic[25][26]

Thrill rides

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Name Manufacturer Year Opened Model Description
Catch a Wave Wisdom Rides 2006 Genesis A row of seats that rotate clockwise and anticlockwise in a vertical circle by two arms.
Derby Racer Prior and Church Company 1927 Derby Racer One of only three rides of its kind still in existence. Built in 1927 for Playland by Prior & Church with horses carved by Marcus Charles Illions, a turn of the century New York carousel horse carver. The Derby Racer rotates at 25 miles per hour (40 km/h) - three times the speed of a normal carousel. The horses move back and forth as well as up and down, simulating a gallop as it races around the track. The ride & its canopy was refurbished for the 2022 season.
Double Shot S&S Worldwide 2000 Double Shot Drop tower type attraction that uses compressed air to rapidly propel riders up the tower then gently lower them with a series of air-cushioned bounces back to the loading platform.
Dragonator Zamperla 2019 Disk'O Small halfpipe with outwards-facing seats.
Log Flume Hopkins 1994 Log Flume Passengers sit in the logs, which are propelled along the flume by the flow of water, followed by a rapid descent
Playland Plunge Hopkins 2001 Shoot the Chute A flat-bottomed boat that slides down a ramp into a lagoon.
Playland Yo-Yo Chance Rides 2008 Yo-Yo A swing ride that tilts.
The Whip W.F. Mangels & Company 1928 Whip Two circular wheel-like turn-table platforms on opposing sides of a rectangular base. Motors turn a cable that leads a number of 2–3 person seater cars that are attached, around a laminated wooden track. The ride follows the track while the cable turns. When the car reaches one of the turn-table platforms, the speed picks up forcing riders to one side as the car whips around the corner.

Dark rides

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Name Manufacturer Year Opened Model Description
Ye Old Mill Prior and Church Company 1929 Boat Dark Ride A classic Playland attraction in which guests ride a boat through the Playland Waterworks.
Zombie Castle Traver Engineering Company 1934 Dark Ride

Family rides

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Name Manufacturer Year Opened Model Description
Bumper Cars unknown 1978 Dodgems A Bumper Car attraction where guests drive their own car and attempt to bump other cars out of the way.
Gondola Wheel Chance Rides 1990 ferris wheel A 90 foot tall ferris wheel that offers guests a view of the theme park.
Grand Carousel W.F. Mangels 1928 carousel A historical 1928 carousel, with classic organ music.
Kite Flyer Zamperla 2002 Kite Flyer Guests lay horizontally on colorful gliders as they fly through the air.
Music Express Wisdom Rides 2008 Musik Express
Old Rye Motorbike Factory Technical Park 2022 Swingaround
Tornado Wisdom Rides 2022 Tornado

Kiddyland

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Kiddyland is a section with children's rides in the southwestern section of Playland. Its rides include:[27]

  • Antique Cars
  • Boat Ride
  • Convoy
  • Crazy Submarine
  • Flying Dragons
  • Fun Slide
  • Himalaya
  • Jolly Caterpillar
  • Jump n' Bean
  • Jungle Jamin
  • Kiddy Carousel
  • Kiddy Scrambler
  • Kiddy Whip - a smaller whip ride
  • Motorcycle Jump
  • Mushroom Ride
  • Playland Express - a ridable miniature railway
  • Red Baron
  • Slime Bucket
  • Sun and Moon
  • Swing Around

Casino

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The "Ice Casino", built in 1929, originally contained a main ice rink as well as a full dance floor on the second floor that functioned as a dance hall through the 1940s and '50s. It also had a full service fine-dining restaurant and an outdoor café. It had smaller dining rooms upstairs for upscale private dinners. A renovation in the 1970s added a kiddie rink as well as a mid-sized ice rink. A renovation to the main ice rink that included a new surface, boards and glass was completed in 2007 for the Empire State Games.

Former attractions

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Airplane Coaster in 1928

Flat Rides

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Ride Manufacturer Year Opened Year Closed Model Replaced by Description
SkyFlyer ARM (UK) 1995 2021 Kamikaze (ride) Expensive Food Restaurant Sold to traveling carnival Modern Midways.[28] Replaced by expanded restrooms & a dining establishment for the 2022 season.
Thunderbolt Chance Rides 1989 2021 Matterhorn Tornado Swinging cars which travel on an uneven circular path. Replaced by the Tornado for the 2022 season.
Starship 2000 Wisdom Rides 1995 2021 Gravitron N/A 48 padded panels lining the inside wall. Riders lean against these panels, which are angled back. As the ride rotates, centrifugal force is exerted against the pads by the rider, removing the rider from the floor, due to the slant. Replaced by the "Old Rye Motorbike Factory", an expanded walkway & landscaped area for the 2022 season.
Wipeout Chance Rides 1992 2021 Trabant Old Rye Motorbike Factory A flat ride where 60 riders sit while the ride spins & tilts as classic rock n' roll music plays. It was replaced by the "Old Rye Motorbike Factory" for the 2022 season.
Sky Skater Interactive Rides 2002 2022 Sky Skater N/A An oversized skateboard as it teeters back and forth. Set to be replaced by a ride called "Jack The Puppeteer", although no information aside from a mention on the park map is given about this planned ride.
Go Karts unknown unknown 2022 Go-Karts Jack the Puppeteer Classic Go-Kart attraction that is an authentic looking race cars. The cars come in single-seater or double-seater models. Contrary to most parks, the Go-Karts are included in admission with no additional fee.
Catch N' Air Majestic Rides 2022 2024 Catch N' Air Area of Tables A skateboard-themed attraction where guests ride in a circular motion up and down a bunny hill. Replaced by seating areas in 2024.

Dark Rides

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Ride Manufacturer Year Opened Year Closed Model Replaced by Description
Flying Witch Pinfari 1971 2021 dark ride Catch N' Air A multi-story tracked dark ride through haunted house scenes with old-school props and scene displays. Inspired by Nightmare on Elm Street, Hellraiser, & Phantasm. It was replaced by the "Catch N' Air for the 2022 season, and subsequently relocated to Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World, where it's set to reopen in 2023.[29]

Roller coasters

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Ride Manufacturer Model Year Opened Year Closed Replaced by Description
Airplane Coaster Frederick Church Wood May 26, 1928 1957 Wild Mouse In 1927, construction began on the Airplane Coaster, overseen by Frank W. Darling.[30] It was originally thought that the Traver Engineering Company had been responsible for the construction of this ride; however, in 1983 the original blueprints, signed by Fred Church, were discovered in an attic at the park, disproving the Traver Company misconception. Known originally as "Airplane Dips", its name was changed to "Aero-coaster" and then finally to "Airplane Coaster". The ride was dismantled in 1957.
Flitzer Zierer Steel 1980 TBD Thought to have only operated for one year.[31]
Hurricane S&MC Steel 1995 2003 Superflight Relocated to Playcenter São Paulo (2005-2012) where it operated as Windstorm, then to Alpen Park (2013–present) where it operates as Alpen Blizzard[32]
Monster Mouse Allan Herschell Company Steel 1967 1981 N/A Relocated to Quassy Amusement Park where it operated as Mad Mouse from 1982 to 2010; currently not operational anywhere[33]
Whirlwind Vekoma Steel 1984 1992 Log Flume Relocated to Knoebels Amusement Resort (1993-2004) as Whirlwind, then to Parque de Diversiones (2005–present) as Bocaraca[34]
Wild Cat Schwarzkopf Steel 1984 1991 N/A Relocated multiple times. Previously at Busch Gardens Williamsburg as Die Wildkatze (1976-1983), then moved to Steel Pier (1994-1999), Williams Grove Amusement Park (2001-2004), and Adventure Park USA (2005-present) as Wildcat[35]
Wild Mouse Wood 1958 1965 - 1966 This ride was imported from Germany; according to Billboard's January 7, 1958, issue, it was sold to Playland by Eric Wedemeyer. Wild Mouse was then operated by concessionaire Schauer Amusement Corporation.[36]
Wild Wind Interpark Steel — — This roller coaster, built in late 1999, was never opened due to the G-forces being considered highly extreme, and was removed before 2000.[37]
Zyklon Steel 1971 1983 [38]
Super Flight Zamperla Steel (Volare) 2004 2022 TBD Currently standing inoperable at the park. Potentially reopening in 2025

Emergency services

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The Westchester County Police provides law enforcement services throughout the year, but the park is only officer-patrolled on a 24-hour basis from April to October. In addition to County Police, the park employs seasonal park rangers. Uniformed park rangers work under the supervision of county police officers. They assist park users, provide information on park rules and procedures, help in searches for lost children, and make regular security checks of buildings and facilities.[39]

Westchester County Parks Emergency Medical Service provides basic life support services to the guests and employees of the park, and maintains the park's two first aid stations. Paramedic and ambulance transport services are provided through Port Chester-Rye-Rye Brook Emergency Medical Service. The Rye Fire Department handles all fire and rescue calls at Playland.

Incidents

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See also: List of incidents at independent amusement parks § Playland

Dragon Coaster

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  • On September 2, 1988, an 8-year-old girl choked to death while chewing gum on the ride.[40]

Mind Scrambler

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  • On May 22, 2004, a 7-year-old girl from New Rochelle was killed when she fell out of the ride after she opened her restraining bar.[40]
  • On June 29, 2007, a 21-year-old female park employee from White Plains was killed when the ride was started by a second employee while the victim was still assisting guests with their safety restraints. Park officials stated that a safety precaution (put in place after the 2004 Mind Scrambler incident) was not followed. A report issued by the State's Labor Department on August 24, 2007, stated that the ride operators were running the ride improperly. The ride owner was cited for providing inadequate training. Due to this incident the Mind Scrambler was closed permanently.[40]

The Whip

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  • On August 18, 1938, a 19-year-old man was killed after being flung off The Whip.[40]

Wild Mouse

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  • On July 8, 1984, six people were taken to the hospital after suffering injuries when one of the trains they were riding in collided into another. The ride was shut down for investigation and later reopened. Park officials stated that a mechanical failure was the cause of the accident.[41]

Music Express

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  • On July 28, 2023, the Music Express ride malfunctioned, leaving riders spinning backwards on the ride despite efforts to stop it until power was disconnected from the ride.[42]

Ye Old Mill

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  • On August 3, 2005, a 7-year-old boy from Norwalk, Connecticut died of blunt force trauma to the head after he climbed out of a boat on the Ye Old Mill ride, where he became trapped underwater by a conveyor belt. The victim's family sued the county that owned Playland, and on March 24, 2009, the defendants were ordered to pay US$1.25 million, as well as create a scholarship in the victim's name. The scholarship will be awarded annually to Playland employees who exhibit excellence in safety and customer service.[40]

Accidental drowning

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  • On July 4, 2006, a 43-year-old woman from Queens drowned after walking into a man-made lake that is off-limits to swimmers. An autopsy showed the victim had a blood alcohol level seven times the legal limit.[40]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. ^ a b "Playland Amusement Park". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. September 18, 2007. Archived from the original on June 13, 2007.
  3. ^ Matt Coyne (May 5, 2017). "Westchester County and Standard Amusements roll out Playland work plan". USA Today.
  4. ^ "Architect's Rendering of Playland Park, 1927". Virtual Archives: Historical Treasures of Westchester County. Westchester County Archives. westchesterarchives.com. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  5. ^ Roswell, Clint (May 15, 1981). "Playland promises summer fun". Daily News. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  6. ^ Cole, Larry (July 7, 1983). "Lots of bodies comin' thru the Rye-Playland". Daily News. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  7. ^ Karen Morey Kennedy (October 22, 1979). ""Playland Amusement Park", National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination". National Park Service.
  8. ^ "Playland Amusement Park--Accompanying 7 photos, from 1980". National Park Service. October 22, 1979.
  9. ^ a b Kilgannon, Corey (May 5, 2002). "PARKS; Thrills, Touched Up, at Playland". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  10. ^ "Facilities - Manhattanville College Athletics". Manhattanville College Athletics. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  11. ^ "Standard Amusements will run Playland, county to invest $32M". Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  12. ^ "Properties - United Parks". United Parks. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  13. ^ "Playland unveils first ride since 2008". lohud.com. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  14. ^ Summer bummer: Rye Playland will stay closed for 2020 season Retrieved December 14, 2020
  15. ^ "General Admission – Playland Park". Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  16. ^ "County Promotes Discount Pricing, Free Offerings at Playland". Rye, NY Patch. July 17, 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  17. ^ danmurphy (May 29, 2019). "So Far, So Good at Playland; Long-Term Future Still in Doubt". Yonkers Times. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  18. ^ "Playland Park Sponsorships". Westchester.gov. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  19. ^ "Thrill Rides – Playland Park". Playland Park. February 1, 2019. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  20. ^ "Cedar Downs Racing Derby, Carousels, All the Rides, Cedar Point". Archived from the original on August 20, 2006. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  21. ^ "Infusion at Pleasure Beach Theme Park / Amusement Park Blackpool, UK". Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  22. ^ Marden, Duane. "Crazy Mouse  (Playland Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  23. ^ Marden, Duane. "Dragon Coaster  (Playland Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  24. ^ Marden, Duane. "Family Flyer  (Playland Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  25. ^ Marden, Duane. "Kiddy Coaster  (Playland Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  26. ^ "Coaster Awards". www.aceonline.org. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  27. ^ "Kiddyland Rides – Playland Park". Playland Park. February 19, 2019. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  28. ^ "Modern Midways New SkyFlyer Ride Debuts at Bonita Holiday Fair in Bonita Springs, FL". Facebook. Modern Midways. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  29. ^ "Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World". facebook.com. September 21, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  30. ^ Marden, Duane. "Airplane Coaster  (Playland Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  31. ^ Marden, Duane. "Flitzer  (Playland Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  32. ^ Marden, Duane. "Hurricane  (Playland Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  33. ^ Marden, Duane. "Monter Mouse  (Playland Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  34. ^ Marden, Duane. "Whirlwind  (Playland Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  35. ^ Marden, Duane. "Wild Cat  (Playland Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  36. ^ Marden, Duane. "Wild Mouse  (Playland Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  37. ^ Marden, Duane. "Wild Wind  (Playland Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  38. ^ Marden, Duane. "Zyklon  (Playland Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  39. ^ "Park Ranger". Archived from the original on October 19, 2011.
  40. ^ a b c d e f "Deaths at Playland". Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  41. ^ AP (July 10, 1984). "Playland Ride Shut After Accident - The New York Times". The New York Times.
  42. ^ "Amusement ride at Rye Playland malfunctions sending riders hurtling backward until power pulled". ABC7 New York. July 27, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
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