News: Playland gets new director

Posted at 4:03 PM EDT (2003 GMT)

Apr. 23rd, 2006 -- Playland Park named a new park director weeks before the park opens for the 2006 season.

Daniel McBride, 50, started work as director and deputy parks commissioner. He replaced Joseph Montalto, who retired April 9.

McBride's salary will be $123,000 annually. He plans on changing the way the staff views the park, and he wants people to realize it is both a park with a beach and pool as well as an amusement park.

A child has died in each of the last two seasons, and McBride said safety is what comes first at the park.

He said safety manuals will be re-written, there will be additional training, and a system will be implemented allowing operators to only run rides they have been trained on.

For more information, visit The Journal News.

Visit Playland Park's official Web site here.

See also: Child dies on Playland Park boat ride.