Huck Finn's Playland
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]
Location | 25 Erie Blvd., Albany, New York, United States |
---|---|
Opened | 2015 |
Operating season | May–September |
Attractions | |
Total | 16 |
Roller coasters | 1 |
Water rides | 0 |
Website | www |
Status | Operating |
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.
Rides
Ride | Year Opened | Year Manufactured | Manufacturer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Huck Finn's Playland Railroad | 2015 | 1952 | Miniature Train Company/Allan Herschell Company | Original train manufactured by the Miniature Train Company. The 1980 and 1988 replacement engines were manufactured by the Allan Herschell Company. |
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 | 1960's | Eli Bridge Company | Miniature Eli Bridge ferris wheel. |
Red Baron | 2015 | 1960's | Chance Rides | Aerial plane ride with individual controls to lower/raise the plane. |
Balloon Flight | 2015 | Unknown | Bradley & Kaye | Aerial balloon ride. |
Umbrella Ride | 2015 | Unknown | Hampton | Circular car ride. |
Caterpillar | 2015 | 1955 | Allan Herschell Company | Circular revolving Caterpillar ride. |
Teacups | 2015 | Unknown | 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 | Unknown | 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 | Unknown | Wisdom Rides | Individual cars that ran along a tracked route. |
Samba | 2015 | 1983 | Zamperla | Space themed elevating ride. |
Sky Fighter Jets | 2015 | 1956 | Allan Herschell Company | Aerial jet ride with shooting guns. |
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.