State OKs Restoration Project for Binghamton’s Ross Park Carousel

New York state has finally given the go-ahead for the long-awaited restoration of the century-old carousel at Ross Park in Binghamton.

The city has been planning the project that will relocate the historic merry-go-round to another spot in the park for more than a decade.

Ross Park Zoo executive director Phillip Ginter said the city has received state approval for the planned restoration. State historic preservation officials had been reviewing details of the project.

Ginter told WNBF News that he expects construction work will be taking place over the summer and the park's carousel should be fully restored by the end of the year.

Although the carousel will not be available for park visitors this summer, Ginter said it should be back in operation next year.

The ride's 59 jumping horses and two chariots were removed from the park on the city's South Side in the fall of 2024.

In addition to restoring the carousel horses, plans call for the building of a new shelter structure.

The carousel's spot in the park has been prone to flooding in recent years so it will be moved to higher ground nearby. It will be more centrally located between the zoo and the Discovery Center of the Southern Tier.

Ginter suggested there might be a possibility that carousel rides could be available for the holiday season late this year.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.