Newark’s Military Park carousel reopens, but questions about cost and longevity remain

Newarkers and families from across the state enjoy the carousel and other attractions in Military Park on Oct. 23. (Photo credit: Josie Gonsalves)

NEWARK, NJ – After a prolonged period of dormancy, the Chambers Family Carousel at Newark’s Military Park reopened on Oct. 23rd at $450,000, bringing back an attraction that has been absent from the downtown park for years.

The small carousel claims a 26-foot diameter on the 6-acre park in the heart of the business district. With very few children-centered playgrounds in the city, the carousel presents an opportunity for families and children to make the heart of Newark a family-friendly space.

The city officials and the Newark City Parks Foundation are celebrating its return; however, questions about why the carousel remained closed for several years and whether it can remain open in the years to come must be considered.

The carousel was introduced to the public in 2016 as part of Military Park’s revitalization plan. It features 16 horses that honor Newark’s history and was donated by Newark philanthropist Ray Chambers and his family. Newark-based Thornton Tomasetti provided engineering services pro bono.

For residents, the reopening has brought excitement after many years of waiting. Lucia Velotti, a resident of Newark’s North Ward, was part of the large crowd that was eager to ride the carousel. She attended with her husband and daughter, who was especially looking forward to the carousel’s return.

“We are very happy to be here. We have waited for the reopening of the carousel for a long time, especially my daughter. When we found out, she was jumping all over the house,” Velotti said. “We came, in fact, yesterday because we wanted to be the first to ride the carousel. Yesterday, we went 5 times!”

Laquannah Tabron also celebrated the opportunity to experience the attraction with her family, describing the ride as something she had wanted to do since childhood.

“I’m just so happy to see the carousel open today. It’s been on my bucket list since I was a kid to ride it,” Tabron said. “Today, I’m here with my daughter and little cousin, and we’re going to ride the carousel.”

Despite the excitement, questions remain about the financial costs of reopening the carousel. In 2022, Newark authorized $2.5 million in federal pandemic-relief and state funding for downtown park management and operations. The records, however, do not establish how much, if any, of that funding went toward restoring the carousel.

The Newark City Parks Foundation is sponsoring free rides through the end of 2026, with the carousel scheduled to operate on Thursdays and Fridays from 3-8 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 noon-8 p.m.

The foundation has not established what rides will cost after the free-ride period ends or how ongoing maintenance and operating expenses will be covered. It remains to be seen whether the park will consider a sliding scale for families for whom entertainment costs can be a burden.

The Newark City Parks Foundation manages and maintains downtown parks. The carousel’s long-term operating plan is central to its future. Without a clear accounting of restoration costs or planned maintenance funding, it is unclear whether the reopening of the carousel is a long-term return, or simply another temporary chapter for the attraction.

For now, Newark residents will have the chance to enjoy a historic community landmark once again. Now, the question is whether the city and its partners can keep it running long after the initial excitement fades.