RYE, NY — Standard Amusements has found a partner to help benchmark Playland amusement park’s environmental and carbon emission performance
The company said the 95-year-old beloved park, will enter its next chapter by focusing on reducing its carbon footprint and implementing greener infrastructure, practice and technology for the next generation of visitors.
Standard Amusements has tapped Jones Lang LaSalle since 2023 to benchmark the historic amusement park’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). Carbon emissions’ performance and will develop a comprehensive sustainability strategy to guide the park’s development, the company said.
“While continuing to preserve and honor Playland’s rich history, our key priorities include improving our carbon footprint and focusing on the park’s sustainability to welcome families for the next generation,” Playland CEO Evonne Keeler said.
Westchester County owns the park, which is operated by Standard Amusements. County officials lauded the effort
“We are thrilled to see Standard Amusements and JLL taking such a proactive approach to sustainability at Playland.” Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins said. “As one of the County’s most cherished destinations, it is critical that we continue to preserve the park’s history while making strides to reduce our carbon footprint and protect our environment for future generations.”
Standard Amusements and JLL said they are already are developing strategies to reduce potable water usage, improve energy efficiency, increase the reuse of materials at the park and implement a composting program.
With its proximity to nature and the preserve, Playland also plans to feature green infrastructure and become a more climate-resilient facility as part of the new sustainability strategy, reducing negative impacts of the park to local ecosystems.
Other Eco-friendly initiatives are already underway at Playland including replacing old lighting with high efficiency LEDs, moving away from propane to clean all-electric cooking appliances for food service, and installing water refill stations throughout the campus. The Standard Amusements team has already planted over 50 trees throughout Playland’s campus with more to come. The company has also started installing green roofs on buildings, making the air cleaner and cooler with less energy used.
Standard amusements officials said this is just the beginning of a larger sustainability transformation that Playland will be undertaking in the coming years. The JLL sustainability team was chosen to for its global perspective and local expertise to help Playland become an attraction for best-in-class sustainability, according to the company.
“We are proud to be part of the journey for this historic gem of Westchester County and are excited to work together with Standard Amusements to build something special for decades to come,” explained Adam Fisher, who leads JLL Sustainability Consulting for the Northeastern U.S.
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