RYE, NY (July 5, 2025) — An arbitration panel has ruled in favor of Westchester County in a dispute with Standard Amusements, LLC, over the management of Playland Park, declaring Standard’s attempt to terminate a 30-year agreement invalid due to the county’s contractual right to cure its obligations.
The panel, chaired by Honorable Jonathan Lippman and including Honorable Shira A. Scheindlin and Honorable Anthony J. Carpinello, issued its decision on June 26, 2025, granting the county’s motion for partial summary judgment and denying Standard’s cross-motion. The ruling centered on whether the Second Amended and Restated Playland Management Agreement (PMA) allowed the county to address its failure to meet a requirement to substantially complete 70% of its capital projects by April 30, 2024.
SEE: Arbitration Panel Ruling Regarding Playland: County of Westchester v. Standard Amusements, LLC
The county argued that the PMA’s Section 21(B)(i) required Standard to provide notice and a 30-day period to remedy any failure to meet material obligations, including the 70% threshold. The panel agreed, finding that the agreement’s plain language supported the county’s right to cure before Standard could declare a default or terminate the agreement. “The PMA requires notice and a right to cure the failure to meet the 70% Threshold,” the panel stated, noting that the obligation was material and subject to the agreement’s notice-and-cure provisions.
Standard contended that the PMA allowed immediate termination without a cure period, arguing that the failure to meet the deadline was not an “Event of Default” and that a missed deadline could not be cured. The panel rejected these arguments, stating that the PMA’s structure, including references to Sections 22 and 23(B), clearly tied the 70% threshold to the notice-and-cure provisions. The panel further noted that other sections of the PMA explicitly allowed immediate termination without cure for specific breaches, but no such language appeared in the relevant section, Section 6-a(i).
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins hailed the ruling as “a significant victory for the people of Westchester County.” In a statement, Jenkins said, “The Panel affirmed what we’ve said from day one — Standard Amusements had no right to try to tear up a 30-year agreement without giving the County the contractually required opportunity to cure. Their attempted termination was not just wrong — it was legally baseless.”
Jenkins criticized Standard’s actions, stating, “This ruling exposes Standard’s effort for what it was: an irresponsible attempt to walk away from their obligations and shift blame onto the County.” He emphasized the county’s ongoing commitment to Playland, noting, “We continue to work on our $150-million-dollar investment by repairing rides, opening concession stands and serving up summer memories and fun.”
The dispute arose after Standard issued a termination notice on January 21, 2025, claiming the county failed to meet the 70% threshold by April 30, 2024. The county acknowledged missing the deadline but argued it had completed at least 65% of the required projects by that date, while Standard claimed only 31% were completed. The panel’s ruling voided Standard’s termination notice, affirming the county’s right to address the shortfall.
Jenkins vowed to pursue a damages claim, stating, “We are moving forward on the damages claim, and we won’t stop until we have a settlement that works for the people of Westchester County.” He added, “While I am County Executive, Westchester County will never be bullied, pushed around or manipulated — especially over a public asset that exists for the joy of children.”
The partnership between Westchester County and Standard began on August 10, 2015, with the PMA executed on July 21, 2021. The panel’s decision ensures the county can continue its efforts to preserve Playland Park, a historic site in Rye, New York.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.