It’s after hours at the amusement park.
The rides have all been shut down.
Everyone’s gone home.
The ticket windows all say “CLOSED.”
But why don’t we take a look inside anyway?
Because nothing beats an amusement park after hours…
-SCOUT
PS – I noticed something on the counter at the candy window…
A small tribute to Marion Painten, who worked at Rye Playland for the past 12 years and was known as Queen of Playland. The sign reads, “You will be missed, Candylady!”
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Man, I think you must have the best job in the whole worl — OH DEAR GOD THOSE CLOWN FACES ARE TERRIFYING.
Fantastic shots! There’s something seriously creepy about an empty amusement park. The horses of the carousel look especially angry.
I sure hope that Westchester County doesn’t sell Playland. The politicians have been making noises again about how Playland loses millions of dollars a year. What about the millions of dollars worth of happiness that people enjoy from having a great amusement park so close to home?
Thanks for these photos. What other movies besides “Big” have used Playland for some scenes?
Beautiful post with magical images. Sad. I went here many many years ago as a kid.
@MT – those aren’t regular carousel horses, that is the Steeple Chase! Ahhhh, Rye Playland…such fond childhood memories. It’s sad that they’re looking to close it down for good.
Jenn – to go one further, those horses are from the Derby Racer, one of only three such rides in the world. The Steeplechase is sadly a done deal, gone with its namesake park from Coney Island.
Those are the scariest clowns I every saw!
It’s a pretty sad looking place without people.
Those rollercoaster pictures are breathtaking! Also agree re: OMG THE CLOWNS.
WOW – That roller coaster reminds me of the old wooden ‘Flyer’ we used to have here in Toronto.
What camera and lens are you using ? Very nice shoots as usual in such low light.
There is nothing more lonesome then a deserted boardwalk; great picture.
Wow. The 8th pic – there second one where the wooden coaster is prominently featured – is KILLER! Did you have to climb up the coaster a bit to get that one?
You sure take some amazing shots. How eerie…
What are you shooting with?
Thanks for sharing this. Nice work.
Makes me want to go back to Rye.
The Steeplechase is a national treasure. A fantastic, breathtaking and wonderfully simple ride.
Nick, I’ve sent you a few notes over the last 2 years. Check out my Yonkers Blog to which I am in your debt as you were the inspiration behind the creation of it all. I am a freelance Writer and Photo Journalist so I figured why not use my talents to showcase the City I grew up in.
Thanks again Nick and keep up the good work as will I. My next post is about a door…to nowhere!!! Nice Cliffhanger eh?
—Josh
Hi,
Are you selling any of these photos? The roller coaster is amazing?
Thanks.
Becky
LOVE these photos.. i’ve been going to rye playland since i was a little girl. how DID you get that coaster shot?! haha.. also – i believe the horse ride is the ‘derby racer’ NOT steeplechase! love that ride. cheers, man!
I wonder where Scooby-Doo and the gang were hiding?
Hey Scout!
So remember how you spoke of your childhood ghost stories? Playland was one of ours… Decapataions on the dragon coaster (true btw… Further proof to remain seated during the ride), Poltergeists down the Ye Old Cabin Ride, and of course the sailors on the beach… You missed a couple of cute scratchfitti marks on the boardwalk and an area near the front where broken ponies from the old carousel hide.
Next time you find yourself in southern westchester, try:
http://www.bedofnailz.com/buckout.html
There’s some other cool ones and interesting houses… But this is the most famous….
Have fun!
-M
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