Frank W. Darling was president of the L.A. Thompson Scenic Railway Company at Coney Island when he was tapped by the Westchester County Park Commission to construct, operate and manage Playland. By then (1927) Darling had constructed amusement parks in New Zealand, at the British Empire Exposition in Wembley, and at the Modern Art Exposition in Paris, and was well known as an old amusement man, in experience, but not in years or enthusiasm.

Darling's execution included a balanced, planned layout with the beauty of the architectural form evidenced in all buildings. Artists designed special panels on buildings; lighting was good but subdued; an integrated music system was installed to send out favorite melodies by Sousa, Wagner and Berlin over the entire area; landscaping was carefully planned and executed. The day after Labor Day, 1927, over 1,000 men began construction. Work was finished in time for the scheduled opening on May 26, 1928. Visiting experts immediately declared Playland to be one of the finest recreational centers of its kind in the country.

Frank Darling continued as Director of Playland for several more years and completed additional projects such as the Olympic-size pool, increased boardwalk concessions, an indoor ice skating rink, a scenic railway, and additional restaurants and picnic areas.