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] Abraham Lincoln passed the location twice, far before it became a park. Once as president-elect after meeting with the Albany Legislature, and once after his death, after his body laid in state at the New York State Capitol Building [4] .The park was constructed on a vacant 3 acre lot, and opened in June 2015. [5] The new park features the Hoffman's Playland rides, a new concession building, and an arcade relocated inside the warehouse. The arcade games were sold by the owners of Huck Finn's Warehouse when they sold the park to Joe Masher in 2024. 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 location itself is allegedly haunted. [6] Some ghost stories stem to the park's location in Latham, with claims that there are spirits attached to the paratrooper ride and food trailer. There are other stories dating back to the new location's association with the Warehouse District of Albany. There was much railroad and canal activity along Erie Boulevard, and the first perforated toilet paper was invented in the Huck Finn's building (then the Albany Perforated Wrapping Paper Company, photos here) by Seth Wheeler. [7] There are rumored to be burial sites from the canal era between the back of the park and the highway. These rumors are unconfirmed, as the alleged burial sites are located in protected wetlands. There are numerous stories about a black robed figure that wanders through the Playland at night protecting the park.
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. [8] The old owners, Huck Finn's Warehouse, planned to close the park following the 2023 season. However, Masher stepped in and saved the park for future generations. The park's first season under Masher's ownership has been largely successful, with fresh paint and new lights present on many of the rides for the 2024 season. Under Masher's leadership, the park has instituted multiple changes including a wristband day each week and events such as Touch-A-Truck Day. [9] The Playland has also been decorated for Halloween for the first time in the park's history. The park also has added gluten free food options to the menu for the first time. [10]
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