Things Looking “Merry” at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

3/28/2005

BRIDGEPORT (April 4) – Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo will soon be welcoming a parade of new animals to be housed at the Zoo’s Carousel Building. A tiger, horse and panda are on their way and will be part of the animals displayed on the new “Zoo Carousel” built especially for the Zoo by Carousel Works of Mansfield, OH. The Zoo’s current Carousel will be closed beginning Wednesday, March 30 for approximately one week as the new Carousel is installed. The Zoo will celebrate the grand opening of the new Carousel by offering each Zoo visitor one free Carousel ride on Wednesday, April 27.

In 1995 the Zoo opened its Carousel Building with a 1950s-era carousel that soon became one of the Zoo’s most popular attractions, providing enjoyment to more than 80,000 riders each year. The Carousel is so much fun that dozens of people have purchased membership at the Zoo just so they can visit for free and their children can ride the Carousel on a weekly basis.

This beautiful, but older, Carousel has had its share of mechanical problems over the years, causing the Zoo to close the ride for lengthy repairs when parts, and skilled repair people, were hard to find. When the ride broke last August, it was only able to be repaired so that the Carousel goes round and round but not up and down. The Carousel is open for $1 rides from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.

The Zoo knew it was time to find another Carousel. Zoo Director Gregg Dancho approached one of the Zoo’s generous, long-time supporters, who immediately agreed to donate $250,000. This anonymous donation allowed the Zoo to purchase the mechanism and body of a new Carousel.

Now the search is on for sponsors of the 33 individual animals and the wheelchair-accessible chariot that will be mounted on the new Carousel. The colorful menagerie will include not only traditional horses but also rhinos, giraffes, camels, sun bears, and any of the 122 species that Carousel Works produces. Sponsors can select the animal they like best, and Carousel Works will construct the animal just for them. Sponsoring a Carousel animal in someone else’s name is a unique way to honor a special event or person while providing a personal gift to the Zoo that will be appreciated and enjoyed by all who use the Carousel for years to come.

Sponsors can purchase an animal for the outside ring for $7,500 or one on the two inside rings for $6,000. The name of each sponsor will be prominently displayed on each animal, so all riders are aware of the donor. Sponsors can select the animal they wish to sponsor on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition, some of the horses that graced the outgoing Carousel are for sale to carousel fans, horse lovers, memorabilia collectors, or anyone who wants a piece of Zoo history. Each horse costs $1,500.

Potential donors and sponsors should contact the Zoo’s Development Director, Jessica Summers, at 203-394-6573 for more information.

The Carousel Building is a popular site for children’s birthday parties year-round. Party packages offered by the Zoo include four carousel rides each for the birthday child and party guests. Parents can call the Zoo’s Special Events Coordinator, Erica Bento, at 203-332-4243 for information about scheduling a party.

The Carousel Building also houses the original horses that graced the Pleasure Beach Carousel. These magnificent carved horses represent some of the very best work of noted carousel artists Charles Carmel and Marcus Illions. They will continue to be on display when the Zoo’s new carousel is in place.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is open year-round and exhibits primarily North and South American animals, including many endangered and threatened species. Highlights include a Tropical Rainforest, Carousel, New England Farmyard, pop-up prairie dog exhibit, and Victorian Greenhouse. Zoo admission is $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 3-11 and seniors, and free for members of the Connect