11/25/2025
CUSTOM CAROUSEL PLANNED IN HERITAGE PARK
Parents and grandparents can look forward to many magical hours in Andalusia’s new Heritage Park, thanks to the Andalusia City Council’s Tuesday decision to add a carousel to the downtown venue.
The carousel, which is 38 feet in diameter, is being custom designed for Andalusia. It will feature 32 standard horses, two ADA accessible chariots and a detachable wheelchair ramp. It will be the same size and similar in coloring to the one shown here.
In addition, there will be 10 reindeer that can be changed out with horses at Christmas, as well as six other animals that can be mixed in – a lion, tiger, elephant, giraffe, zebra and ostrich. Lighting and sound systems also are included, and the city also is purchasing a cover to protect the carousel in the event of a storm.
The Council on Tuesday accepted a low bid of $569,000 from Barrango MFG for the carousel, which includes installation and training. This bid was $274,000 less than the next lowest bid. Funds for the carousel were included in the city’s 2022 bond
issue.
As spokesman for Barrango said it will take six to nine months to build the carousel, which means it should be in place in the new park in late 2026.
Mayor Earl Johnson said the city has not worked out all of the details of when the carousel will be available for use, but he expects rides to be free or a nominal expense, with rentals available for special events. The procedures will not be unlike those used in the city’s other park facilities, he said.