Carousel

The Carousel is a popular amusement in the south end of Central Park, one of several features that make up the Children’s District, an area designed for children and their caregivers.

The current carousel was installed in Central Park in 1951, but dates to 1908. Well-regarded as an important historic carousel and work of American folk art, it consists of 57 horses and two chariots that “gallop” along to music played by a mechanical organ.

The current carousel is the fourth in this location. To the Park’s designers, commercial amusements such as carousels conflicted with their vision of the Park as a peaceful retreat from urban life, but one was nonetheless installed by a rival administration in 1871 and has remained a popular addition. The first carousel was powered by a large horse or mule, while later models were electric.

Families with toddlers and strollers crowd the plaza in front of the carousel on a clear spring day

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