BY ANTHONY O’REILLY

History is spinning again at Forest Park.

NY Carousel, the ride’s operator, flipped the switch for the 40-year-old Forest Park Carousel on March 23.

The attraction closed operations in 2008, but reopened last Memorial Day weekend after undergoing extreme renovations, according to Ami Abramson, one of the directors of NY Carousel.

“This year we’re excited to start it earlier,” Abramson said. “We updated everything and it was a lot of hard work.”

Read the entire article at:

http://queenscourier.com/2013/forest-park-carousel-opens-for-season/

By Luis Gronda

Less than a year after its grand reopening, the Forest Park Carousel will once again open its doors for its first full season on Saturday, March 23.

The century-old merry-go-round was back in service last Memorial Day after the Parks Dept. finally found an operator, New York Carousel, to operate and maintain the two carousels at Forest Park and Flushing-Meadows Corona Park.

The carousel opened to much fanfare from local residents and beyond who were looking to see and ride on the merry-go-round. The Forest Park Carousel had been shuttered for four years as Parks searched for a new operator, which included five rounds of bidding from various concessionaires.

Read the entire article at:

http://www.queenstribune.com/2013Weekly/Trib%20Web%20032113/Leisure_032113_ForestParkCarouselReopensThisWeekend.html

QUEENS — The popular Forest Park Carousel is reopening this weekend, just in time for public schools’ spring break, its operator said Monday.

The carousel is slated to kick off its second season on Saturday, March 23, and is planning to remain open daily until Tuesday, April 2.

After that, the ride will continue to operate on weekends until schools let out, and then daily in the summertime.

“We are really excited to get open,” said Ami Abramson, director of NY Carousel.

He also said there are plans to add a new carnival game this season. And there will be other events, including a DJ dance night for kids during Memorial Day weekend.

Read the entire article at:

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130318/forest-hills/forest-park-carousel-opens-this-weekend-for-spring-break#ixzz2OfVYpiyP

The Times Ledger

Residents are encouraged to visit two recently reopened Queens carousels for some scary fun this weekend.

New York Carousel Entertainment plans to celebrate Halloween and the completion of its first season of operating two of the city’s historic carousels by hosting “Cido’s Birthday Spooktacular” Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Forest Park Carousel in Woodhaven and Sunday, Oct. 28, at the Flushing Meadows Carousel.

Read the entire article at:

http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2012/43/halloweencarousel_fh_2012_10_25_q.html

http://www.wpix.com/news/morningnews/wpix-carousel-forest-park-092812,0,874059.story

WOODHAVEN, QUEENS (WPIX)— PIX11′s Lisa Mateo visits the Forest Park carousel in Woodhaven, Queens. Restoring the century-old landmark took some years, but its now open to be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. It features the work of master woodcarver Daniel Muller.

August 16, 2012

The Forum

After four years of being practically abandoned, The Forest Park Carousel was given a second chance and people have come in droves to ride the merry-go-round.

Ami Abramson, who is from NY Carousel, the concessionaire that was ultimately selected to operate the carousels at both Forest Park and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, said that the community has welcomed the carousel back with open arms.

“The response of the residents has been tremendous,” he said. “We’ve been happy to be a part of this community.”

According to Abramson, the carousel has received almost 20,000 rides since its Memorial Day reopening.

NY Carousel won the bid to take control of both carousels after a long search, which included five rounds of bidding as the Department of Parks and Recreation pursued a new concessionaire. The previous operator’s contract expired in 2008.

Read the entire article at:

http://theforumnewsgroup.com/2012/08/16/business-at-the-carousel-booming-since-its-reopening/

July 31, 2012

Leader/Observer

The Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that has served the interests of the residents of Woodhaven since its inception in 1972.

Over the past few years, we’ve had success on several fronts, from defeating street changes that would have been harmful to the residents and businesses of Woodhaven to keeping the recently reopened Forest Park Carousel on everyone’s radar.

We’re also well known for rolling up our sleeves and taking to the streets to clean graffiti and taking steps to reduce residential noise. In fact, at our latest Town Hall meeting the 102nd Precinct confirmed that noise complaints in Woodhaven are down this summer.

Read the entire article at:

http://leaderobserver.com/view/full_story/19637998/article-WRBA-reveals-honorees-for-2012-dinner?instance=home_news_right

The Daily News

The historic Forest Park Carousel, reopened after years of being shuttered, is rebuilding its audience this summer.

It has hosted almost 15,000 rides since Memorial Day and long-time residents are rediscovering it every day.

“I was so excited to see it open,” said Effie Karnoupakis of Middle Village, who brought her 2-year-old granddaughter. Alexia, for a ride on Wednesday. “She loved it.”

Ami Abramson, of NY Carousel, the concessionaire selected by the city to operate both the Forest Park and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park carousels in May, said he has been “thrilled” with the response.

“The community reaction has been great,” he said. “Forest Park is really growing into a wonderful venue for family and birthday celebrations.”

The long-neglected carousel, which experts call a priceless jewel, has been cleaned and polished. A new row of white lights give it a classic feel.

Read the entire article at:

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/refurbished-forest-park-carousel-enjoys-a-summer-rebirth-crowds-rediscover-jewel-article-1.1121907

The Leader/Observer

The Forest Park Carousel has been a constant in Carol Lacks’ life. She’s been a regular visitor throughout her life and was very good friends with the late Marvin Sylvor, who managed the renovation of the carousel in the early 90s. Carol was thrilled when she heard the news that the Forest Park Carousel was back in business, and made certain that she visited during its opening weekend.

At the same time, Carol had been looking for ways to help raise money and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter. Carol’s mother Rose has been living with Vascular Dementia since having a stroke in 2003, and Carol had recently begun doing volunteer work for the Association.

While standing on line to ride the carousel, Carol made a connection between the music that was playing and the devastating disease that strikes one in eight elderly Americans. “Music is one of the last things that a person with dementia is able to hold onto,” she explains. “There are so many centers of the human brain that are music-related.”

Read the entire article at:

http://leaderobserver.com/view/full_story/19569742/article-Ride-the-Forest-Park-Carousel–help-Alzheimer-s-Association?instance=home_news_1st_left