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The Carousel for All Children
The world's finest classic Victorian carousel
Rent the carousel for your party!
Be one of the first to ride the
Carousel this season
and take a spin through Staten Island's history!
Opening Day includes
a petting zoo, crafts and
catch-and-release fishing
The Carousel is located in Willowbrook Park
at Eton Place, off Richmond Avenue
Driving
Directions
Topiaries greet visitors at the entrance to The Carousel for
All Children.
Photo by Al Efron
Since 1999 The Carousel For All Children has been bringing old-fashioned fun back to Staten Island. Kids of all ages can clamber aboard their favorite hand-carved wooden animal figure and enjoy one of yesteryear's most popular pastimes in one of the Greenbelt's loveliest settings.
From May through October the Greenbelt Conservancy is pleased to be able to offer families this enjoyable and affordable experience.
The Carousel is open on major holidays through October. Carousel rides are just $1.50 per person.
The Carousel schedule for 2008
 | Opening Day: Saturday, May 3, 12 noon – 5 pm (Greenbelt Conservancy members ride free on opening day!) |
| May: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 am – 5:45 pm |
| June: Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am – 5:45 pm |
| July and August: Seven Days, 11 am – 5:45 pm |
| September: Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am – 5:45 pm Rent the Carousel for your party or event |
| October: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 am – 5:45 pm |
A NOTE ABOUT CAROUSEL HOURS OF OPERATION: On occasion the Greenbelt Conservancy may rent the carousel for exclusive all-day functions (Yours, if you wish! See the rental information below). Also, the carousel may close in response to inclement weather, low attendance, or for mechanical reasons. If you are planning a special trip, you may wish to consider calling ahead. The Carousel telephone number (seasonal only) is 718-477-0605
Rent the carousel for your party or event!
Our fabulous classic Carousel is available to
rent for your school, summer camp, community or social event.
Call 1-718-351-3450 for details.
Have your name written in stone!
Engraved
walkway pavers are affordable and help support the Carousel For All Children.
For details, call the Greenbelt Conservancy at 1-718-667-2165.
About The Carousel for All Children
PROVENANCE: The Carousel For All Children is the splendid result of a collaboration between the Greenbelt Conservancy and the City of New York/Parks & Recreation Department. The office of the Staten Island Borough President provided capital funding for the carousel. The carousel was designed and built between 1997 and 1999 in Mansfield, Ohio by Carousel Works, the only company in North America that creates wooden carousels. According to the artisans, the carousel in Willowbrook Park is the largest and fanciest one they’ve created.
FIGURES: The carousel contains fifty-one hand-carved, colorfully painted figures of traditional wooden carousel horses, mythical beasts and endangered species such as zebras, giraffes, gorillas, a spotted leopard, a mandrill, and panda bears. All figures have glass eyes and built-in saddles for riding. The carousel is illuminated by 540 vibration resistant light bulbs imported from Brazil.
ARTWORK: The carousel’s wooden structure displays forty hand-painted renderings of Staten Island landmarks including the Conference House, High Rock Park, the Tibetan Museum, Martlings Pond, the Vanderbilt Mausoleum, and Horrmann Castle. Leslie Chaffin, an artist employed by Carousel Works in Ohio, painted each scene. Ms. Chaffin worked closely with the Greenbelt Conservancy staff, and referred to color photographs to accurately paint each image.
PAVING STONES: More than eight hundred paving stones, inscribed with names of individuals who donated to the Greenbelt Conservancy’s carousel maintenance fund, can be viewed around the promenade. The maintenance fund will ensure that the carousel will remain in pristine condition for years to come. Paving Stones are still available for purchase. Just print and fill out the form and mail it to us. Order an engraved paving stone!
LOCAL CAROUSEL HISTORY: A wooden carousel owned by the Tirelli Family ran on the Midland Beach Boardwalk for approximately 40 years until 1957 when it was sold and dismantled. The Midland and South Beach Boardwalks were popular early 20th century summertime attractions for New York City families, including the Vanderbilts, who “summered” on Staten Island. A large St. Bernard figure that appears on The Carousel For All Children’s outer row is a reproduction of one of the figures that appeared on the Tirelli Carousel in Midland Beach. In addition, one of the paintings that adorn the new carousel depicts a bustling Midland Beach Boardwalk scene of yesteryear.
ACCESSIBILITY: The Carousel For All Children is accessible to all people, including those who are physically challenged. Our staff is available for anyone who requires special assistance.