July 3, 2018 -- Visitors to Playland Park in Rye will once again enjoy magnificent views of Long Island Sound from the 700-foot long North Boardwalk, now that a capital replacement project has been completed, Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced today during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Latimer was joined by County Parks Commissioner Kathy O’Connor, Commissioner of the Department of Public Works Hugh Greechan and Deputy Parks Commissioner Peter Tartaglia, to officially open the Boardwalk.

“I am pleased to welcome Westchester residents back to this very special section of Playland Park, which had been closed after Superstorm Sandy demolished the existing boardwalk in 2012,” Latimer said. “It’s been a long time coming, but the way this new Boardwalk is built, it will be here for a very, very long time to come.”

Playland’s shoreline sustained grave damage during Superstorm Sandy on October 29, 2012, with winds and tidal surges greatly damage the South Boardwalk, and completely demolishing and washing away the North Boardwalk.

The replaced boardwalk is built with 500-year storm resistant materials. The Boardwalk has been upgraded with steel piles replacing the former wooden ones, and a concrete substructure and platform to further stand up to the elements. Like the Park’s South Boardwalk, which was repaired and reopened in 2013, the new boardwalk’s decking is made of Brazilian hardwood known as Ipe, which can last more than 30 years without warping and splintering.

New wrought-iron fencing on both the water’s edge and the park side of the walkway has been installed, along with brand-new, historically correct benches and lighting to comport with the Park’s Art Deco architecture.

The completion of the North Boardwalk reconstitutes Playland’s scenic Seaside Walk that runs along Long Island Sound and affords beautiful vistas. It is a 3/4-mile path that starts at the South Boardwalk and ends at the North Boardwalk near Playland Lake.

The cost of the project was $4.6 million for design and construction.

Senator Charles E. Schumer said: "The opening of Playland Park in Rye signifies the end of a drawn out and difficult chapter and the beginning of a bright new one. In November 2012, I toured the damage that was left in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and vowed to being FEMA funding to Playland Park and all of Westchester County. I'm overjoyed knowing that today is the day my efforts, combined with countless others, finally comes to fruition. Congratulations to Westchester County and specifically all Hudson Valley children, both young and old, on this joyous occasion right in the time for summer.”

Congressman Eliot Engel said: “We are so fortunate here to have such remarkable natural beauty in our Sound Shore communities. And there is no better way to enjoy that beauty than spending time on the Rye Playland North Boardwalk. The boardwalk sustained heavy damage after Superstorm Sandy some six years ago, but after many years of hard work, it has been rebuilt using storm resistant materials that will ensure it remains intact for years to come. I was proud to help procure federal funding for this critical project and I encourage everyone to come enjoy the beautiful new boardwalk this summer.”

Representative Nita Lowey said: “As Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, I’m pleased to have helped secure federal funding for this replacement boardwalk in Playland Park, which will be better-suited to withstand future storms. I will continue working to bring these essential resources to the Lower Hudson Valley.”

The North Boardwalk will be open daily. 

Playland Park, a National Historic Landmark, is located on Playland Parkway in Rye.