CAROUSEL SET TO REOPEN THIS SATURDAY

VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK RESTORING WOODEN CHARACTERS

The historic carousel at Lakeside Park in St. Catharines is back for another season, and hopefully it will be a full one this year.

Reopening to the public this Saturday, the waterfront park's cultural landmark will celebrate its 101st season in 2022.

Originally carved by Charles Looff in Coney Island sometime between 1898 and 1905, the carousel came to Lakeside Park in 1921.

Bonnie Cameron from the Friends of the Lakeside Park Carousel said the volunteer group has been hard at work restoring the ride's many hand-carved characters.

"This year, after the absences with COVID, I realized something ... I am sure that if Looff was asked, he would never have expected it to last as long as it has," she said. "That is because of our group. We've maintained it for safety first, and (to look) pretty second." The ride features 68 characters, including horses, lions, camels, giraffes and goats. There are also four chariots.

Cameron said the characters are put together with epoxy and wood dowelling, and over the years the glue has worn off. Volunteers work to restore the animals and keep them in working condition. The group is quick to take any broken or falling apart animals to "sick bay" at their workshop, said Cameron.

"It's exciting because you're working on something that an individual, not necessarily Looff, worked on over 100 years ago," she said. "They didn't have the tools we have, and they probably didn't have the comfort of the workshop that we have now."

Their workshop, located at Jeanne Sauvé French Immersion Public School, opened in 2019. Prior to that, the volunteer-based group operated out of Happy Rolph's.

Cameron said this year, they were able to get the characters off the organ and work on restoring them for the first time.

"They're hand carved as well but then coated with some kind of plaster or ceramic ... then through the years some of their fingers were missing and whatnot, so one of our carvers carved a hand to add some fingers," she said. "It's just amazing what these guys can do."

Last year, the carousel operated on a shortened season due to COVID-19, and wasn't able to open the year before.

The carousel ran into problems in 2019 as well, as Lakeside Park was the victim of serious flooding.

It will be open on weekends until Thanksgiving, and daily from July 1 to Sept. 5.

A ride costs five cents, or admission by donation.

Lakeside Park Carousel is one of only nine wooden carousels still operating in Canada.

Motorists and the general public are hereby advised that Niagara Region’s Annual Strengthening and Resurfacing Program has commenced. For updates on this project please visit This project is required to increase the lifespan of the road sections by improving the structural integrity.

The proposed work includes:

• Replacing selected cross culverts

• Milling off the top course of asphalt or doing a cold in place strategy of the road section

Repairing cracks in the base course asphalt and replacing concrete curbs that are in poor condition

Paving new top course asphalt, line marking and adding granular to shoulders

Please expect traffic delays and that daily road closures and detours as identified will be required for paving operations during construction.

The contractors’ anticipated hours of operation from weather permitting.

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Businesses and residents will have access during the closure but may be directed to take an alternate route to get to their destination.

Emergency services will also have access if required.

Any inquiries concerning this project may be directed to Niagara Region Dispatch at 905-984-3690 or Project Manager Transportation Engineering, at 905-980-6000 ext. 3189.

Your co-operation and patience during this period of inconvenience is appreciated.

Bruce Zvaniga

Commissioner of Public Works (Interim)