Ohio's Richland Carrousel Park

I love photographing colorful carousel animals and found the perfect subject for this colorful photo essay at the Richland Carrousel Park in Mansfield, Ohio.

First, it's important to note that the park uses the alternate "c-a-r-r-o-u-s-e-l" spelling, rather than the more common "c-a-r-o-u-s-e-l", so it's not a typo you're seeing here.

The Richland Carrousel Park began as the centerpiece of a strategy to revitalize Mansfield's aging downtown in the late 1980s.

Today, the carousel is a year-round attraction drawing families, tourists, carousel fans and others to Mansfield's downtown Historic Carrousel District.

We discovered the carousel during our exploration of the Ohio leg of the legendary Lincoln Highway and stopped to take a look.

Community organizers raised $1.2 million for the project. It took three years to build the carousel and park and, when it opened in 1991, it became the first all-wooden carousel built in the United States since 1932. The Richland Carrousel Park celebrates its twenty-first birthday this weekend.

Carousel Works, which moved from Connecticut to Mansfield around the time they built the Richland Carrousel, used an antique frame for its pattern, along with some vintage pieces like trim and mirror panels. The Richland Carrousel's center pole, platform, motor, gears and other parts were new.

Artisans at Carousel Works carved a collection of figures for the project after the style of renowned carousel builder and carver Gustav Dentzel. Dentzel emigrated from Germany and became one of the earliest carousel builders in this country with his company remaining active from about 1870 through 1928.

The Richland Carrousel, like many Dentzel carousels, is a menagerie-style carousel featuring a mix of wooden horses and other animals. The 52 animals include 20 jumping horses, 10 standing horses, one goat, one lion, one tiger, one zebra, one giraffe, one sea horse, four ostriches, four cats, four rabbits and four bears.

One of the nice modern amenities of the carousel includes two chariots cleverly designed to accommodate wheelchair users. The horses in front of the chariots swivel aside and the front seat of the chariot flips up to make space for a chair, while a ramp allows access onto the carousel platform.

The chariots, along with mural panels, feature scenes of past and present Mansfield-area attractions like Malabar Farm, the Mid-Ohio Race Track, scenes from the life of Johnny Appleseed and an 1812-era blockhouse.

Two bronze horses cast from vintage figures from a Philadelphia area carousel guard the entrance to the park and a Stinson Band Organ provides a cheerful soundtrack for riders.

The Richland Carrousel Park is open seven days a week year round, with the exception of a handful of major holidays. Open doors at the pavilion make it an open-air attraction in summer months with extended hours, while visitors ride in the comfort of the heated pavilion in colder months. The park stages special events throughout the year and you can also book an event at the pavilion like a children's birthday party or wedding reception.

Free admittance to the park, free parking nearby and free Wi-Fi access makes this a particularly budget-friendly attraction for families. You'll also find picnic tables and public bathrooms at the site.

Tickets to ride the carousel are one dollar, with a discount for multiple tickets.

The carousel pavilion is easy to find (it's at the corner of Main Street and Fourth in the heart of downtown Mansfield). You can check out the Carrousel Park's gift shop or concessions for snacks or head on down the street for a quick meal or more shopping in town.

Read my stories about another Midwestern menagerie-style carousel in Michigan, Big-kid fun on the carousel at Grand Rapids Public Museum and Photo Friday: Carousel at Grand Rapids Public Museum.

Want to learn more about carousels and carousel animal carving? Check out Carousel Animal Carving: Patterns & Techniques by Bud Ellis and Rhonda Hoeckley or Flying Horses: The Golden Age of American Carousel Art, 1870-1930 by Peter J. Malia. Read more about the history of Mansfield by checking out Mansfield (Then and Now) by Timothy Brian McKee and Mansfield in Vintage Postcards by Timothy Brian McKee.

© Dominique King 2012 All rights reserved

Comments

[Travelermom]

I loved reading your post. The Carrousel is minutes from my home and one of our favorite local attractions. My children have grown up with weekends at the carrousel and as teenagers still love to pop in from time to time for a quick visit. Last week I took my one year old nephew for his very first carrousel ride. I have no doubt that he will love it as he grows bigger too. Love your pictures! You got some great ones!

[Dominique King]

Thanks! I love taking photos of carousels, and I particularly like the menagerie type carousels like this one. You're so lucky to have it so close to you!