Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round (videos and info)

Recently, I visited the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round and I thought it was so delightful that I want to tell everyone about it. It only costs 2 dollars a ride, per person. But you can hang out nearby for free and enjoy the music and the sight of the people enjoying it. It would be a nice place to have a picnic.

I will have pictures ready to share soon, so perhaps I’ll follow up with my personal pics at some point. But I thought I would share some info about it, and some youtube videos.

Here is a description from the Griffith Park Web site:

Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round
Park Center
(323) 665-3051

Hours
Open weekends throughout the year and weekdays during the summer, and over Christmas and Easter vacations, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Description:
Located in Park Center between the Los Angeles Zoo and the Los Feliz park entrance, the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round has been a Los Angleles family attraction for over five generations. Built in 1926 by the Spillman Engineering Company and brought to Griffith Park in 1937, the Merry-Go-Round boasts 68 horses, everyone a jumper. Each horse is finely carved with jewel-encrusted bridles, detailed draped blankets and decorated with sunflowers and lion's heads. A Stinson 165 Military Band Organ, reputed to be the largest band organ accompanying a carousel on the West Coast, plays over 1500 selections of marches and waltz music.

http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/griffithpk/mgr.htm

It is much more fantastic in person, but you can watch some videos of the Merry-Go-Round and hear the beautiful music here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snWrTShcR8g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-5skWj4xdw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eROL5wltv4&feature=related

On the above Youtube pages, you can read some pretty interesting comments about the organ and how it works, and some history of the Merry-Go-Round.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PquUCSnK0Lo&feature=related

A little blurb about Griffith Park:

Griffith Park

Go to Crystal Springs Road for the train, pony rides, and a 1926 carousel. The Travel Town Museum on Zoo Drive is fun for any kid who loves vehicles; the best picnicking is at the Ferndell entrance.
Los Feliz