Flushing Meadows Carousel

The Flushing Meadows Carousel is a ride in Corona Park with four rings of hand-carved wooden figures, including horses and a lion, plus two chariots for passengers. The current structure combines mechanical parts and animals salvaged from two earlier carousels built in the early 1900s.

The carousel was assembled from two earlier installations built by craftsman Marcus Illions around 1903 and 1908 for amusement parks in New York. These salvaged pieces were later brought together to create the current ride in the park.

The carousel draws on designs from two early amusement parks, representing how public entertainment once took shape in New York neighborhoods. The ornate hand-carved figures show the craftsmanship that people valued in their leisure spaces over a century ago.

The carousel sits in Corona Park near the Queens Zoo and operates during warmer months when the weather is pleasant. The park has multiple entry points and plenty of walking space, making it accessible from several subway and bus stops throughout the area.

The frames and mechanical systems for both earlier carousels were built by the same manufacturer, William F. Mangels, before being recombined here. This makes the ride a rare example of salvage and reassembly, where pieces from two separate amusement parks were merged into one working installation.

Location: Queens

GPS coordinates: 40.74330,-73.84930

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:09