Griffith Park’s Merry-Go-Round May Ride Again

A century-old Los Angeles favorite is finally moving toward restoration.

For years, the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round has stood silent. Now, plans are taking shape to make the horses move again.

The City of Los Angeles purchased the historic carousel last year for $1 million, preserving it in Griffith Park rather than risking its sale to a private collector. Built in 1926 and moved to Griffith Park in 1937, the merry-go-round has been largely closed since the pandemic and has not operated regularly since 2022.

Restoring it will be no small undertaking. The century-old machinery needs extensive work, the hand-carved wooden horses require conservation and repainting, and accessibility and modern operating requirements must also be addressed. Early estimates put the restoration cost at approximately $3 million to $4 million, with the work expected to take at least two years.

The effort has attracted volunteers with considerable theme-park expertise, including people who work at Walt Disney Imagineering and are contributing their knowledge independently. That connection is especially fitting: Walt Disney famously brought his daughters to the Griffith Park carousel, and the experience is widely credited with helping inspire his vision for a place where parents and children could enjoy themselves together.

The goal is not simply to make the carousel turn again. The restoration aims to preserve its original craftsmanship — from its elaborate carved horses and decorative panels to the mechanical system that has carried generations of Angelenos around in circles.

Friends of Griffith Park is raising funds to support the restoration, while Recreation and Parks continues its assessment and planning.

After a long stop, one of Griffith Park’s most beloved landmarks finally appears to be headed toward another spin.