![\"\u2018Friends\u2019](\"https:\/\/sandiegodowntownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/web-MAIN-carousel-pic-1.jpg\")
\u201cThe carousel was one of very few privately owned assets in Balboa Park,\u201d said John Bolthouse, executive director of Friends of Balboa Park. \u201cOur taking over its ownership aligns perfectly with Friends\u2019 mission to preserve and maintain the park for future generations to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince 1999, Friends has partnered with the City Parks & Recreation Department to help fund projects throughout the park and the carousel is our largest undertaking yet,\u201d Bolthouse continued. \u201cWe need the public\u2019s support in funding the endeavor and are looking forward to continuing to have the carousel be in the spotlight, just as was intended more than a century ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
Capital campaign kick-off<\/strong><\/h3>\nFriends of Balboa Park will kick off a capital campaign to raise money for the ongoing support and maintenance of the carousel on July 25, National Carousel Day. San Diego City Councilmember Chris Ward, County Supervisor Ron Roberts and numerous other elected officials and community leaders will be on hand to help celebrate the momentous occasion.<\/p>\n
A news conference will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a public event from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Free carousel rides will be offered from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.<\/p>\n
The public event will entail children\u2019s music and carnival activities, face painting and more. To support the capital campaign, visit BalboaParkCarousel.org<\/a>.<\/p>\nHistory of the Balboa Park Carousel<\/h3>\n
The carousel has been privately owned for more than 100 years by several different families.<\/p>\n
Since its relocation to Balboa Park in 1922, the Balboa Park Carousel has brought countless smiles and memories to all who\u2019ve ridden its animal menagerie and reached for the prized brass ring. The carousel still runs on the original General Electric motor built in 1910 and requires an elevator\/roller coaster certification to operate.<\/p>\n
The current owner is Bill Steen; the Steen family has owned the carousel for more than 40 years.<\/p>\n
Carousel timeline:<\/strong><\/p>\n1910 \u2014 Built by Herschell-Spillman Co. and erected in Luna Park in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
1913 \u2014 Carousel and building moved to Coronado\u2019s Tent City by new owner H.D. Simpson.<\/p>\n
1915 \u2014 Carousel and building moved to Balboa Park for the Exposition.<\/p>\n
1917 \u2014 Carousel and building moved back to Coronado\u2019s Tent City.<\/p>\n
1922 \u2014 Carousel and building return to Balboa Park, where the Fleet Science Center now stands.<\/p>\n
1968 \u2014 Carousel and building moved to current location; some structural and aesthetic updates are made.<\/p>\n
1977 \u2014 Bill Steen family purchases carousel.<\/p>\n
2017 \u2014 Friends of Balboa Park purchase carousel.<\/p>\n
Friends of Balboa Park is an affinity group that enhances and maintains Balboa Park through donations and park programs. The group has spearheaded major capital improvement initiatives throughout the park, including information kiosks; restoration of the historic gate houses and lily pond; and managing Adopt-A-Plot<\/a>, bench tributes<\/a>, tree dedications<\/a> and other programs that facilitate the community\u2019s direct involvement in the enhancement of Balboa Park.<\/p>\n
History of the Balboa Park Carousel<\/h3>\n
The carousel has been privately owned for more than 100 years by several different families.<\/p>\n
Since its relocation to Balboa Park in 1922, the Balboa Park Carousel has brought countless smiles and memories to all who\u2019ve ridden its animal menagerie and reached for the prized brass ring. The carousel still runs on the original General Electric motor built in 1910 and requires an elevator\/roller coaster certification to operate.<\/p>\n
The current owner is Bill Steen; the Steen family has owned the carousel for more than 40 years.<\/p>\n
Carousel timeline:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1910 \u2014 Built by Herschell-Spillman Co. and erected in Luna Park in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n 1913 \u2014 Carousel and building moved to Coronado\u2019s Tent City by new owner H.D. Simpson.<\/p>\n 1915 \u2014 Carousel and building moved to Balboa Park for the Exposition.<\/p>\n 1917 \u2014 Carousel and building moved back to Coronado\u2019s Tent City.<\/p>\n 1922 \u2014 Carousel and building return to Balboa Park, where the Fleet Science Center now stands.<\/p>\n 1968 \u2014 Carousel and building moved to current location; some structural and aesthetic updates are made.<\/p>\n 1977 \u2014 Bill Steen family purchases carousel.<\/p>\n 2017 \u2014 Friends of Balboa Park purchase carousel.<\/p>\n Friends of Balboa Park is an affinity group that enhances and maintains Balboa Park through donations and park programs. The group has spearheaded major capital improvement initiatives throughout the park, including information kiosks; restoration of the historic gate houses and lily pond; and managing Adopt-A-Plot<\/a>, bench tributes<\/a>, tree dedications<\/a> and other programs that facilitate the community\u2019s direct involvement in the enhancement of Balboa Park.<\/p>\n