Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Central Park Carousel Operator Canned


By

Jen Carlson

Published Feb 18, 2010

Modified Feb 18, 2010


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Carlson

Published Feb 18, 2010

Modified Feb 18, 2010


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Photo via Ralph Hockens' Flickr

A year after carousel operator New York One LLC abandoned the Queens Forest Park merry-go-round, claiming there wasn't enough foot traffic, the Parks Department has terminated their contract to run the famed Central Park Carousel. They told the NY Post the operator has failed to mainten and clean the ride up to their standards. The company will be out by Monday, and they may not have anyone else to run it for another month.

Some interesting tidbits from the article: the ride costs $2 and takes in just under $200K a year. There's a $7,500 concession fee the operator need to pay in order to run it. It's not running when the temperature falls under 32 degrees. And one man, Sal Napolitano, has worked in various positions at the ride for 39 years; he says that Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis once asked if she needed to pay to watch her children go 'round.

Tagged

carousel

central park

New York One LLC

parks department


Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Bronx community hosts vigil for boy killed in e-bike fire

Zion Maine died Wednesday after a lithium-ion battery ignited, killing him and injuring four members of his family.

By

Carol Chen

Published Oct 29, 2026 at 9:22 p.m. ET


8 people charged in $7M SNAP benefit fraud scheme

The scam impacted thousands of people, according to the Manhattan district attorney’s office.

By

Giulia Heyward

News

8 people charged in $7M SNAP benefit fraud scheme

The scam impacted thousands of people, according to the Manhattan district attorney’s office.

By

Giulia Heyward


California man was shot by a NJ detective in Moonachie, officials say

By

Kaya Laterman

The NYPD is confiscating e-bikes along a clogged East Village street

By

Willow Higgins

New Yorkers enrolled in SNAP will get more money for fresh produce next year

By

Giulia Heyward


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .