As confetti cannons burst into the air with red, white and blue streaming down from the sky, Westchester County welcomed a new ride at Playland. County Executive George Latimer recently opened the “Dragonator” to the public, joined by numerous officials, “Coaster” – the park’s mascot, and children from Briarcliff Manor, Putnam Valley, Mount Pleasant, Cortlandt and New Castle Day Camps.
“I live on the other side of this park and I have watched it for a long time when it felt like people have given up on Playland,” said Latimer. “I have never given up on Playland; we have never given up on Playland, because many of us here remember when we were young and enjoyed this park. I have been given a fortunate opportunity to have the authority to do something with this park and now the people of Westchester are showing we can save Playland and move it forward.”
“Dragonator” holds 24 riders and is designed with a back restraint that leaves both arms and legs free to move as riders are spun around and travel along a “U” shaped track. The ride is part roller coaster and part spinning ride.
“On behalf of myself, Park Commissioner Kathy O’Connor and the entire parks department – we are excited to welcome you all to the first new ride in many years,” said Deputy Parks Commissioner Peter Tartaglia. “We also could not do this without our wonderful staff here at the park and they all deserve to be commended.”
Westchester County Board of Legislators Majority Leader Catherine Parker added: “It is so wonderful to see so many Westchester residents enjoy the park that is the jewel of our parks system. I am so excited for the ride opening today, I can’t wait to get on, and I hope all my fellow elected officials here join me.”
Zamperla, the ride manufacturer, describes the ride as “running on an approximately 92 m. long track reaching a maximum speed of 70Km/h and drawing different trajectories at any time. From a top height of 15mt., the vehicle starts its wild run along the track concave section at a variable speed of 30 to 70 Km/h. In less than a second, the vehicle reaches the top of the central hump at approximately 40 Km/h and gives passengers a strong ‘negative’ acceleration for an incredible weightless sensation.”
President of Central Amusement International Alessandro Zamperla said: “It is a great honor to be here; it is a super fun day to open up the first ride at Rye Playland in 11 years. We are a family-owned business and there is nothing better than to be here to provide memories for all of the families here.”
