Los Angeles Parks & Recreation just bought the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round for $1 million, planning a restoration of the historic ride that has been closed since 2022. The carousel is famous for inspiring Walt Disney to create Disneyland and is one of the oldest wooden merry-go-rounds in California.
The carousel restoration will be part of the broader restoration of this part of Griffith Park, which is due for completion ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
L.A. buys Merry-Go-Round for $1 million
The Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Commission purchased the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round for $1 million in August, according to a board report. The ride was previously operated by Julio Gosdinski, whose death left the carousel closed and in need of repairs in 2020. Despite a brief reopening period, the carousel closed again in 2022 and has sat unused in Griffith Park ever since.
With the carousel now under city ownership, L.A. Recreation & Parks will commence a mechanical repair and restoration process, which is part of the larger “Park Center” area restoration due to be completed by the 2028 Olympics, according to the L.A. Times.
“Given its deep, historical connection to Griffith Park and its significance as a specialized item of unique craftsmanship, RAP believes it is essential to retain this asset, restore and preserve it, and eventually reopen the Merry-Go-Round for the benefit of the public,” wrote the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP).
History of the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round
The historic carousel was built in 1926 and was relocated from San Diego to Griffith Park in 1937. It has 68 wood-carved horses, including some carved by Charles Looff, who created the Santa Monica Pier. The ride’s Stinson 165 Military Band Organ can play over 1,500 songs.
Walt Disney was known to take his daughters to the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round on Saturdays, and the famous ride was a major part of Disney’s vision for what would eventually become Disneyland.