The historic carousel in Binghamton's Ross Park is expected to vanish in the next month or two.

The merry-go-round is one of six donated by George F. Johnson nearly a century ago.

Portions of the Ross Park carousel exhibit signs of discoloring and deterioration. (Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Portions of the Ross Park carousel exhibit signs of discoloring and deterioration. (Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
loading...

Steven Contento, executive director of the Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park, said the carousel will be taken apart. Portions of it will be removed from the site for a "much-needed restoration and renovation."

Contento said the restored carousel will be reassembled in a different location. He said it will be placed near the park's picnic pavilion. It will be visible to visitors immediately as they arrive at the zoo property off Morgan Road.

The new position will be less damp than where it has been located. Contento said dampness had contributed to the carousel's deterioration.

The restored merry-go-round will be in an enclosure which will protect it from the elements.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Contento said a licensed restoration firm will work on pieces of the carousel. Some parts of the ride will be stored and upgraded.

Contento said the existing carousel structure will be reused and repurposed as "kind of a footprint of the original location."

The zoo is expected to be without the carousel for about 13 months.

When the merry-go-round returns, the rides will still be free. As a sign explains, George F. Johnson "vowed that the people of Binghamton would always have free rides" when he donated the carousels.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
loading...

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

 

More From 99.1 The Whale