Forest Park Carousel Offers Rides Again
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After almost four years the horses at the Forest Park Carousel in Woodhaven, Queens are being ridden once more, as the carousel is reopening just in time for Memorial Day Weekend.
The vendor that used to operate the historic ride let its contract with the city expire at the end of 2008.
But after inking a new deal, New York Carousel Entertainment will be in charge of the ride; and that's good news for visitors.
"I lived in the neighborhood so I would come as a child to ride the carousel. So this is a great day not just for me but for everybody in Queens to have the Forest Park Carousel back up and operating," said Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski.
"I've never been on one of these, it was like up and down, up and down and spinning around, but I got a little dizzy," said Samuel Guzman, a student at St. John's Lutheran School.
"Puppet shows, clown shows, magic shows, singing shows, whatever it is that kids love, we're going to try to bring them here," said Ami Abramson of NY Carousel Entertainment.
The ride was first built in 1903 and moved to its current location in 1973.
The carousel now features a renovated concession stand and a new iron fence surrounding the perimeter.
It officially opens to the public on Saturday and will be open on weekends only through June and then daily until Labor Day.