When was the last time you rode a carousel?
Built in 1910 by the Herschell-Spillman Company in North Tonawanda, NY, the carousel has been in Balboa Park since 1922. It is located just inside the entrance to Zoo Place with a menagerie of animals and all but two pairs are original, hand-carved European craftsmanship. The hand-painted murals which surround the upper portion of the carousel are original, as is the 
military band music. This carousel is one of the few in the world still offering the brass ring game for everyone taking the 5-minute ride. Now through the end of summer the carousel is open daily from 11am-6pm. Now through the end of summer the carousel will be open daily from 11am-6pm. Tickets are $1.75 or six for nine bucks. Under 1 is free (what a deal!) Unfortunately the old merry-go-round stands in the way of a zoo expansion which plans to pave over its location as part of a promenade.
If this concerns you, talk to your City Council representative.
Don’t wait too long to enjoy it. The zoo wants to build a four-story parking lot there.
