Dentzel Carousel at Burlington City Park

Carousel Restoration

City Parks Carousel was hand-carved by the Dentzel Carousel Company over 100 years ago. It was previously restored by a group of dedicated community members in the 1980s. After another 35 years of rides, this piece of art in motion requires complete refurbishment and restoration of both its artistic and mechanical elements. Carousels & Carvings, Inc. of Marion, Ohio is restoring and repainting our menagerie of carousel animals, repairing and fabricating new mechanisms, upgrading our drive unit, and adding an ADA-accessible chariot and ramp. The painstaking, two-year process will ensure that our beautiful carousel will be around for generations to come. 

NeW CAROUSEL HOUSE - Coming Soon!Carousel house render-01-01

A new Carousel House is under construction for the Carousel’s return. The Carousel House will be open-air in the warmer months and enclosed by glass during cold weather allowing the Carousel to operate year-round. An attached event space with restrooms and a catering staging area will be available to rent. There will be viewing windows between the event space and the Carousel for guests to enjoy.  

The Carousel House is situated on higher ground closer to Main Street. This keeps the Carousel out of the creek floodplain and places it at grade level with the parking lot, improving ADA accessibility. The original Carousel House will stay where it is and be repurposed for another use.

Carousel Stories

Everyone has a story to tell about the Burlington Carousel. The City of Burlington started recording a compilation of oral history from the Burlington community at the 2019 Burlington Carousel Festival. If you have a story to tell contact Morgan Lasater, mlasater@BurlingtonNC.gov.