Huck Finn's Playland Explained

Huck Finn’s Playland
Location:25 Erie Blvd., Albany, New York
Location2:United States
Status:open
Season:May–October
Rides:16
Coasters:1
Water Rides:0

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, operator of movie theaters, bought the park and is currently the owner. [5]

Rides

RideYear OpenedYear Manufactured ManufacturerNotes
Huck Finn's Playland Railroad20151952Miniature Train Company/Allan Herschell CompanyThe 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-Round20151952Allan Herschell CompanyMerry-go-round with 3-abreast horses and 2 chariots.
Boats20151953Allan Herschell CompanyCircular wet boat ride.
Little Wheel20151959Eli Bridge CompanyMiniature Eli Bridge ferris wheel.
Umbrella Ride20151965Hampton Circular car ride.
Caterpillar20151955Allan Herschell CompanyCircular revolving Caterpillar ride.
Teacups20151976HamptonHampton umbrella car ride.
Helicopters20151958Allan Herschell CompanyCircular helicopter ride with individual bars to control height of Helicopter.
The Fun Slide20181962Classic Fun Slide ride.
Scrambler20151965Eli Bridge CompanyClassic Eli Bridge scrambler ride.
Paratrooper20151974HrubetzFast spinning and elevating Paratrooper ride.
Tilt-a-Whirl20151974Sellner ManufacturingClassic Tilt-a-Whirl ride.
Roller Coaster20151960Allan Herschell CompanyLittle Dipper Herschell roller coaster.
Big Wheel20151971Eli Bridge Company50 foot Eli ferris wheel.
4x4 Trucks20151989Wisdom RidesIndividual cars that ran along a tracked route.
Sky Fighter Jets20151956Allan Herschell CompanyAerial jet ride with shooting guns.
Octopus2022UnknownEyerly Aircraft CompanyClassic Eyerly Octopus ride.

Retired Rides

RideYear ManufacturedYear OpenedYear Closed ManufacturerNotes
Balloon Flight198020152021Bradley & KayeBalloon 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 Baron198520152023Bradley & KayeRed 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

External links

42.6638°N -73.7386°W

Notes and References

  1. Jane Gottlieb, "A Beloved Amusement Park Gets a New Life in Albany", The New York Times, June 24, 2015.
  2. http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/For-Hoffmans-playland-s-closing-an-end-of-5616276.php For Hoffmans, playland's closing an end of thrilling ride
  3. https://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2015/06/22/crowds-and-sun-greet-opening-weekend-at-huck-finns.html Crowds, smiles and sun greet opening weekend at Huck Finn's Playland
  4. http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Huck-Finn-s-Playland-to-open-Thursday-6332178.php Huck Finn's Playland to open Thursday
  5. https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/movie-theater-owner-buys-huck-finn-s-playland-18467632.php#