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About 13,000 square feet of boardwalk was replaced for a little more than $2 million. The entire boardwalk will be open to the public for the opening of the park on Saturday, May 11. Some sections near the pool will be closed on certain days throughout the month while repairs are finished, and the pier will be closed for the next few weeks.
"This place was an absolute mess," Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino said of the boardwalk after Hurricane Sandy hit. The park was flooded with three feet of water, planks were bent and missing, concrete slabs had been thrown all around and the iron fence was bent over.
"This boardwalk is a symbol of Playland, and we vowed that day we would rebuild it and get it open before the season began, so today that's a promise kept."
Crews from Titan Construction Group began work on the boardwalk April 9 and worked around the clock to get the repairs finished. The wood used to replace the boardwalk is Brazilian Ipe hardwood, which Astorino says is durable and should last 35 years.
The north boardwalk adjacent to the amusement park was completely demolished during the storm, and officials have not determined yet whether it will be rebuilt. The Ice Casino also sustained extensive damage. Astorino said designs were being completed for repairs to the Ice Casino, and the project will go out to bid within the next few weeks. He hopes that work will begin during the summer and will be completed in the first quarter of 2014.
All of the rides in the park have been tested and are ready for the park to open Saturday. The Pier Restaurant will also be open this weekend.
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