Rye Holds Children's Town Hall on Playland

As County Executive Rob Astorino prepares to hold a press conference Tuesday morning concerning , Rye held a town hall on Monday to solicit opinions from some of its youngest citizens about what the historic park should become. 

Councilwoman Catherine Parker held a Children’s Town Hall Monday afternoon at Rye City Hall. About 50 elementary and middle school students attended the event, sharing their thoughts on everything from their favorite attractions at the park to what county officials can do to make more appealing to families and the public at large.

Parker began the event by giving the kids some historic background about Playland, saying that Walt Disney used the park as a basis for Disney World, likely the most well known amusement park to Rye’s youngsters.

Parker asked the children several questions, including what their favorite rides and attractions at the park were and what things could be added to Playland to make them visit it more often.

The Dragon Coaster was a favorite among the children. They also liked the fireworks show, playing mini-golf and enjoying the boardwalk and the pier.

The children also made suggestions that were pretty rudimentary. However, many people have argued that the county has failed to employ even the most basic strategy to make the park successful.

Many of the kids said more advertising and marketing were necessary. They said the park—which is typically open from May to September—should also sell more souvenirs, such as a mini-Dragon coaster, and stage different types of events year round, including a holiday fair, an Easter egg hunt and live acts such as acrobats and music performers.

“You guys are good salespeople. You’re thinking about how to make some money. I have to say as a retailer, you guys are warming the cockles of my heart,” said Parker, who owns the travel store on Purchase Street.

Other children spoke about making Playland more appealing by adding other attractions besides the amusement park.

“I think the park should incorporate more things like the Children’s Museum,” said Aiden Pasquale, referring to the , which is currently seeking a lease at Playland’s historic bathhouses.

“Open more family restaurants because it will get more local people to come and not just to the park,” said Anders Jensen.

“Instead of the rides there that aren’t popular, there should be a Starbucks,” said Julia Parker, Councilwoman Parker’s daughter, who was actually the inspiration for the Children’s Town Hall.

Julia Parker said she spoke at a City Council meeting in December about her love for Playland. On Monday, she said she’d like Playland to remain true to its current form.

“I definitely want the rides to stay,” she said. 

In addition the rides, Parker and many of the kids at Monday’s event spoke about the importance of the Long Island Sound. They said the park should have more water sports, water rides and even a water sports camp. They also suggested more indoor rides and the creation of a skate park, converting the ice skating rink into a roller skating rink during the summer, building a miniature stable for horseback riding at the nearby Edith Read Sanctuary and ensuring better upkeep of Playland facilities such as the pool. 

Doug McKean, the principal architect for the non-profit group , said some of the suggestions and overarching principles the children discussed at the town hall could be incorporated into the group's RFP, which it will submit by the March 10 deadline. 

“I think the idea of special events and having programming [is good]. I think just advertising those events would make people go to Playland more each season.”

“I think the water orientation was the thing that struck me,” McKean added. “They [the kids] weren’t just focused on the rides, but the idea that there could be that connection to the Sound.”

Councilwoman Parker said the town hall allowed her to see how much children in Rye really value Playland.

“I learned that these kids really see Playland as a valuable resource in our community. Yes, they have great ideas for how it can be made better, but they really love Playland [the way it is]—with some room for improvement.”

Parker said the children’s suggestions will be incorporated into a resolution the City Council likely will approve at its meeting on Wednesday. The — including maintaining the park as a public resource and preserving access to the Long Island Sound—that Rye residents would like to see the county adhere to as it continues its RFP.

Parker said that for many kids in Rye, Playland’s historic value is tied to its amusement park.

“What I took away from this meeting in particular is that Playland is Playland because of the rides and I think that’s really important to why it’s so special,” Parker said. “They love that amusement park, and adults sometimes forget about that. It is a family amusement park and the opportunity is there to really bring that home.”