The Carousel is now officially opened and the animals are off
and r u n n i n g....bring your own riders.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Brookfield Zoo's Much Anticipated Carousel Ride is Now Open.
review by Ed Vincent
It has a long time in the making but the toast of the town in now
the largest newly constructed Carousel in the entire world, and perhaps the most beautiful. It is definitely fun to ride and to
gaze at. It has 72 hand carved wooden animals and insects to
ride around the its new home. There are two of each creature,
often in different poses, on the ride. Their names are carefully placed above them to identify the correct species on display.
There are also murals on the Carousel that you can ride in as
well as murals that stay stationary in the center.
In April of 2006 the frame for the Carousel is being put
together and today it has all come together.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Kids, the young at heart, and visitors will have a fun spin
around on the new ride.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Here is one of the murals that decorate this wonderful
piece of kinetic art.
© Oak Park Journal photo
There are many who love Carousels and they will want to ride
this one and the kids will love the animals. It must be remembered
though as you view this creation of moving art that all the
animals are real wood and not fiberglass. This carousel travels
at about 3 miles per hour and that allow easy viewing of the
zoo from the ride and looking for your friends on the outside.
© Oak Park Journal photos
The Carousel is beautiful and is protected from the weather.
It will be able to run in the winter with heaters and closed
walls surrounding the ride. The ride is held up just like
a suspension bridge and everything is supported from the
center. There is very little friction and everything is operated
by a small 15 horsepower electric motor.
This assembly supports everything at the center of the
ride. The photo is taken with special access and not
view able to the riders.
© Oak Park Journal photo
This is the gear that drives the ride on
the circumference of the mechanism,
all by a 15 horse power motor.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Put a Spin on Summer
Have you ever heard of a cassowary?
Calling all kids and families...
As you start to plan your activities for Memorial Day weekend and beyond, be sure to include a ride atop one
of 72 animal figures and three chariots on the largest new handcarved wooden carousel in North America! The Carousel at Brookfield Zoo is set to spin and you can get your chance to take a first twirl on Saturday, May 27. Activities and entertainment continue throughout the weekend.
Member tickets are discounted at $1.50 per ride ($2.50 for nonmembers). And all proceeds benefit Brookfield Zoo's animals and conservation programs.
So what creatures will grace this massive merry-go-round? Well, expect everything from anteaters to zebras, and even some animals you might not know so well---like
cassowaries.
Get acquainted with this odd bird and impress your friends with facts as you await your turn on the carousel:
Cassowaries are strange birds with even stranger calls.
Ratite tat tat? Actually, it's more of a chug chug when it comes to the deep cries of this member of the ratite family.
They are a large, flightless species native to the tropical forests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia.
Cassowaries can run at speeds up to 32 miles per hour,
jump up to five feet, and push aside brush and trees with their casque (a bony crown atop their head). They are even good swimmers!
Australia House is home to a male double-wattled
cassowary named Little Bird. He is 26 years old and spends his time, when outside, watching guests and feasting on fruits like apples and grapes.
© Oak Park Journal
published by Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
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