Huck Finn's Playland
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| Location | 25 Erie Blvd., Albany, New York, United States |
|---|---|
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | 2015 |
| Operating season | May–October |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 16 |
| Roller coasters | 1 |
| Water rides | 0 |
| Website | www |
Huck Finn's Playland is an amusement park located in Albany, New York. It opened in 2015 and features the rides of the former Hoffman's Playland.[1]
History
In 2014, David and Ruth Hoffman, owners of Hoffman's Playland in Latham, NY, announced that the park would close in September.[2] The Hoffmans had searched for a new owner for the amusement rides to no avail, and the rides were scheduled to go to auction. Shortly after the park closed, the owners of Huck Finn's Playland announced their intent to purchase the rides and build a new park next to their furniture store in Albany.[3]
The park was constructed on a vacant 3 acre lot, and opened in June 2015.[4] The new park features the Hoffman's Playland rides, a new concession building, and an arcade relocated inside the warehouse. The Lusse Auto Skooter bumper cars were purchased but were not rebuilt at the new park. They were sold to Knoebels Amusement Resort in 2017, where they now operate.
The 2020 season of Huck Finn's playland was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It marked the first time in the park's history without an operating season. It reopened on May 8, 2021, while maintaining social distancing and masks guidelines. By 2023, the mask guidelines were in effect for only unvaccinated guests.
Also, in 2023, Joseph Masher, owner and CEO of Scene One Entertainment, formerly Bow Tie Cinemas, bought the park and is currently the owner. [5]
There are persistent rumors that the Playland is haunted. Figures have been spotted sitting on the Paratrooper ride and around the old train. These entities appear to be protecting the park. The activity appears to be tied to the land itself and not the rides. There are stories of burial sites in the fenced area between the park and the highway.
Rides
| Ride | Year Opened | Year Manufactured | Manufacturer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huck Finn's Playland Railroad | 2015 | 1952 | Miniature Train Company/Allan Herschell Company | The original train was manufactured by the Miniature Train Company and operated until 1979. For the 1980 season, it was replaced by a restored S-24 Iron Horse. A few years later, a second S-24 Iron Horse was restored and put into operation for a total of 2 engines and 6 cars. The engines were manufactured in 1965 and 1967. |
| Merry-Go-Round | 2015 | 1952 | Allan Herschell Company | Merry-go-round with 3-abreast horses and 2 chariots.
|
| Boats | 2015 | 1953 | Allan Herschell Company | Circular wet boat ride. |
| Little Wheel | 2015 | 1959 | Eli Bridge Company | Miniature Eli Bridge ferris wheel. |
| Umbrella Ride | 2015 | 1965 | Hampton | Circular car ride. |
| Caterpillar | 2015 | 1955 | Allan Herschell Company | Circular revolving Caterpillar ride. |
| Teacups | 2015 | 1976 | Hampton | Hampton umbrella car ride. |
| Helicopters | 2015 | 1958 | Allan Herschell Company | Circular helicopter ride with individual bars to control height of Helicopter. |
| The Fun Slide | 2018 | 1962 | Classic Fun Slide ride. | |
| Scrambler | 2015 | 1965 | Eli Bridge Company | Classic Eli Bridge scrambler ride. |
| Paratrooper | 2015 | 1974 | Hrubetz | Fast spinning and elevating Paratrooper ride. |
Tilt-a-Whirl
|
2015 | 1974 | Sellner Manufacturing | Classic Tilt-a-Whirl ride. |
Roller Coaster
|
2015 | 1960 | Allan Herschell Company | Little Dipper Herschell roller coaster. |
| Big Wheel | 2015 | 1971 | Eli Bridge Company | 50 foot Eli ferris wheel. |
| 4x4 Trucks | 2015 | 1989 | Wisdom Rides | Individual cars that ran along a tracked route. |
| Sky Fighter Jets | 2015 | 1956 | Allan Herschell Company | Aerial jet ride with shooting guns. |
| Octopus | 2022 | Unknown | Eyerly Aircraft Company | Classic Eyerly Octopus ride. |
Retired Rides
| Ride | Year Manufactured | Year Opened | Year Closed | Manufacturer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balloon Flight | 1980 | 2015 | 2021 | Bradley & Kaye | Balloon Flight was removed in 2021 after reaching the end of its service life. The ride originally opened at Hoffman's Playland in 2000. Manufactured in 1980, it was relocated from an unknown park. |
| Red Baron | 1985 | 2015 | 2023 | Bradley & Kaye | Red Baron was manufactured in 1985, and was relocated from the Catskill Game Farm to Hoffman's Playland in 2007. It was removed after the 2023 season after reaching the end of its service life. |
See also
References
- ^ Jane Gottlieb, "A Beloved Amusement Park Gets a New Life in Albany", The New York Times, June 24, 2015.
- ^ For Hoffmans, playland's closing an end of thrilling ride TimesUnion.com January 20, 2018.
- ^ Crowds, smiles and sun greet opening weekend at Huck Finn's Playland BizJournals.com January 20, 2018.
- ^ Huck Finn's Playland to open Thursday TimesUnion.com January 20, 2018.
- ^ [1] TimesUnion.com November 4, 2023.