Central Park Carousel Reopening This Fall Under New Management

CENTRAL PARK, NY — The carousel that has delighted families in Central Park for more than a century will be back open this fall after a yearlong closure.

But when the Friedsam Memorial Carousel reopens, it will be under new management: Central Amusement International (CAI), the same company that runs Luna Park in Coney Island.

The city handed over the carousel to CAI earlier this summer, months after it canceled the contract of its former operator, the Trump Organization, due to President Trump's role in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

The company's concession agreement runs for five years, allowing them to also operate up to three mobile food stands and a souvenir cart.

The current carousel has been open since 1908 near the middle of the park at 64th Street. After an 18-month "hibernation," it will welcome back visitors sometime this fall, organizers announced this week.

"We are thrilled to be the new operators of the iconic Friedsam Memorial Carousel," said Alessandro Zamperla, CAI's president and CEO, in a news release. "Inspiring joy and smiles and helping families create wonderful memories while preserving the Carousel’s beauty and history will be an honor for CAI."

The quest to find a new operator for the carousel has gone more smoothly than its parallel effort at Wollman Rink, where officials have objected to the city's pick of a high-powered business group to run the skating rink.

Before being booted out this winter, the Trump Organization had managed the Friedsam carousel since 2010.

"The Friedsam Memorial Carousel is a work of art and one of the largest and most popular carousels in the country – and thanks to Central Amusement International Inc., it will reopen this fall for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy," acting Parks Commissioner Margaret Nelson said.

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