WHITE PLAINS, NY (July 25, 2025) — Westchester County secured a major legal victory in its ongoing dispute with Standard Amusements, LLC over the management of Playland Amusement Park, as a three-member arbitration panel denied Standard’s motion for reconsideration, solidifying the county’s stewardship of the historic park.
The arbitration panel, consisting of Hon. Jonathan Lippman (Chair), Hon. Shira A. Scheindlin, and Hon. Anthony J. Carpinello, ruled that Standard’s attempt to terminate the Playland Management Agreement was invalid and void. The decision reaffirmed a prior ruling on June 26, 2025, which found that Westchester County acted within its rights under the agreement and that Standard’s January 21, 2025, termination notice was legally deficient.
“Playland is the people’s park – now and always,” said Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins. “This ruling reaffirms what we have said all along: Westchester County has honored its commitments and acted in good faith to revitalize and protect Playland for future generations. The panel’s decision not only upholds the integrity of our agreement—it sends a strong message that Westchester will not be bullied.”
The panel’s ruling centered on the county’s legal right to cure any alleged failure to complete 70% of capital projects by a specified date, a protection Standard ignored in its termination notice. Standard’s motion for reconsideration, which introduced new contract interpretations and extrinsic evidence, was rejected as an improper attempt to “present arguments different from those originally presented” and seek “successive opportunities to reargue issues,” according to the panel.
“Today’s decision is more than just a legal win—it’s a victory for good government, accountability, and the residents of Westchester County – especially the children for whom this park is for,” Jenkins said. “We are grateful to the Panel for its thorough and impartial review, and we are ready to move forward.”
Westchester County remains committed to enhancing Playland, described by Jenkins as a “crown jewel of Westchester,” ensuring its legacy for future generations.
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.