Playland Safety Audit Released
Auditor Presents Findings on Park Safety Measures & Operations
COMMITTEE NEWS RELEASE: October 16, 2007
Contact: Brian Bochow, Committee Coordinator, Tel: (914) 995-4456, BrianB@westchesterlegislators.com
The County Board’s Committee on Public Works, Transportation, Labor & Parks today received the final audit from Jerry Aldrich, a consultant hired by the County Executive’s Administration to review safety and operational procedures at Rye Playland.
Aldrich, a consultant with Amusement Industry Consulting, had worked with the Walt Disney Company since 1971. Following the June accident at Playland, Aldrich was called in by the County Administration to perform a full audit of the park.
A recognized expert in the field, Aldrich gave a positive review of Playland, noting how park management and staff were “openly receptive to best practices.” He remarked on the overall improved quality he observed this summer from his first audit in 2004. In his recommendations, Aldrich pointed to some additional improvements, including the use of electronic surveillance and refurbishing worn or dilapidated signage. He was, however, complimentary of the attentiveness of ride operators and employees at all levels when it came to consistent checking of patron safety and adherence to park safety guidelines.
In response to receiving the report, PWTLP Committee Chair, Ken Jenkins, explained, “The administration’s safety consultant has found several areas that deserve attention as we try to make Playland as safe as possible.” Jenkins went on to add, “I look forward to receiving the recommendations of the Board’s consultant so that we can move forward with the necessary safety improvements.”
Chairman of the Board, Bill Ryan, reiterated the anticipation of the Board-hired consultant's report expressed by Jenkins. He highlighted what he explained was the importance in contracting with a second consultant in order to “bring a second set of eyes to the safety issues with which we are always concerned." The Board’s independent audit is scheduled for release by November 1, possibly sooner.
Click here to view the report. 
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