park ben c h Pueblo's Carousel Centennial The City Park Carousel of Pueblo, Colorado, turns 100 this year. It is one of only 165 vintage carousels still in existence in the United States, and it is owned and operated by the City of Pueblo Parks and Recreation Department. The county-fair-style merry-go-round was built in Kansas by the Charles Wallace Parker Amusement Devices Co. and was originally powered by steam. It was owned by the Lake Minnequa Amusement Park in Pueblo until the park closed in 1940. During the 1940s, the carousel was converted to gasoline power and electric lights were added. Then, in 1951, the three-abreast " Carry Us All " found its way to the Pueblo park, where it has been ever since-a much loved part of a kiddie ride amusement park just a stone's throw from the Pueblo Zoo. (Rides there still cost just a quarter apiece.) The carousel is badly in need of mechanical repairs, and the City of Pueblo has applied for a Pepsi Refresh grant to fund the $50,000 restoration. 80 Parks & Recreation FEBRUARY 2011 w w w . NR P A . ORG