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]

Huck Finn’s Playland
Location25 Erie Blvd., Albany, New York, United States
StatusOperating
Opened2015 (2015)
Operating seasonMay–October
Attractions
Total16
Roller coasters1
Water rides0
Websitewww.hucksplayland.com

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.

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.
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.
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 Unknown 2015 2021 Bradley & Kaye The Balloon Flight did not operate in 2021 and was removed at the end of the season as the ride had reached the end of its service life.

See also

References
  1. Jane Gottlieb, "A Beloved Amusement Park Gets a New Life in Albany", The New York Times, June 24, 2015.
  2. For Hoffmans, playland's closing an end of thrilling ride TimesUnion.com January 20, 2018.
  3. Crowds, smiles and sun greet opening weekend at Huck Finn's Playland BizJournals.com January 20, 2018.
  4. Huck Finn's Playland to open Thursday TimesUnion.com January 20, 2018.

42.663752°N 73.738568°W / 42.663752; -73.738568

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