Sustainable Playland to Resume Review Process

Dear County Executive Astorino:

On behalf of Sustainable Playland Inc., I wanted to follow-up with you regarding the Playland Improvement Plan review process. In the four weeks since the suspension of the PIP review by the Board of Legislators that followed our March 31 and April 9 letters to you, we have had the opportunity to assess where we are in the process, and to address the issues outlined in the letters.  We are most appreciative of the time and guidance your administration has provided in helping to clarify the path going forward.

After thorough deliberation by our board, we are prepared to resume the review.  We understand that going forward your administration will take a more active role with us in completing the operator agreements (including parking) and providing the relevant necessary information to the Board’s reviewing committees.  We further understand that the County will represent us in any current and future lawsuits relating the approval process and implementation of the PIP should SPI be named as a respondent.  

We wish to emphasize that we remain committed to the vision plan we share with you for the preservation, restoration and rejuvenation of this unique park. While we have made adjustments to our plans in response to input we have received from the public and elected officials, the goals and objectives that we put forth in our response to your Request for Proposals (RFP) to “re-invent Playland for the 21st century” are unchanged.

Our public-private partnership approach is to create multiple activities that would draw visitors to Playland year round. The goal is to make the park less dependent on attendance at the amusement component that is weather dependent and has a limited season. Multiple uses will enhance the park’s economic viability, support the Westchester Children’s Museum and bring the private investments and activity that will enable the needed restoration and preservation of buildings and grounds. Working in partnership with the County this effort can be accomplished.

Once the PIP is approved and we can move forward in our role with Playland, SPI will:

• Set and implement goals set forth in the Vision Plan.
• Coordinate and manage the operators of the park’s zones.
• Advocate, oversee and fundraise for environmental projects, historic preservation and park restoration to supplement funds that will be invested by the operators and may otherwise be available from revenue generated from operator payments to SPI.

In the coming days we will work with you to finalize the operator agreements and establish a schedule for the completion of the PIP review with the Board of Legislators. We appreciate the efforts of all of those with the County who are working with us in planning for the future of Playland and who we are confident share in the goal of assuring a viable and sustainable future for the park.

Sincerely yours,

Kim Morque

President