Editor note: The carousel is currently in storage. Please contact the zoo’s PR staff at 206.684.4838 if you would like to make advance arrangements for photo ops

SEATTLE – An array of exquisite hand-carved carousel horses, a barbershop quartet, calliope music, burgers, hot dogs, and popcorn conjured up a country fair celebration last night at Woodland Park Zoo where more than 300 friends of the zoo kicked off the campaign to raise funds for the new carousel. The zoo supporters, which included corporate and civic community leaders, local government officials and children, also paid a special tribute to former zoo Director and community builder, Dave Towne. The zoo plans to open the carousel in 2006.

“Woodland Park Zoo and the community are extremely fortunate to receive such a rare and magnificent carousel as a gift from Linda and Tom Allen of the Alleniana Foundation,” noted Woodland Park Zoo President and CEO Dr. Deborah Jensen. Their goal in making this gift was to give generations of carousel riders the opportunity to experience a celebrated piece of American history, provide support for the zoo’s education and animal care programs through ticket sales, and offer the zoo’s families another way to have year-round fun while visiting the zoo. “We’re very excited to celebrate the return of a historic carousel to the zoo, but we still need $1.8 million to build the structure to enclose and protect the carousel and its riders.” In recognition of Towne’s service and dedication, “the zoo will be erecting the new carousel pavilion that will continue on Dave’s legacy of community building, one child at a time.”

“For more than three decades, Dave Towne has been a pillar of the Seattle community,” noted Phil Nudelman, a member of the carousel’s Dave Towne Committee, a past zoo board member and a long-time supporter of the zoo. “Like the carousels of the past that brought communities of people together, Dave is the consummate community builder,” added Nudelman. During his leadership at the zoo, Towne led planning and fundraising that transformed nearly three-fourths of the zoo, resulting in numerous awards for naturalistic exhibits as well as its education and conservation programs.

In recognition of Towne’s accomplishments, a $250,000 gift was made last night to help build the pavilion. An additional $240,000 was raised through the Adopt-A-Horse program.

The carousel was the 45th constructed by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) for the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918 and many of the exquisite horses were carved by master craftsman John Zalar. The hand-carved horses are recognized as a great form of folk art and the PTC produced some of the most beautiful carousels ever constructed. The zoo’s carousel is one of the best preserved carousels of its era in the country. Of the more than 5,000 carousels created from the 1890s through the 1920s, fewer than 150 remain intact and in operation today.

The carousel will be located adjacent to the North Meadow, a popular active space that currently accommodates large-scale community events, concerts, family and corporate gatherings and other activities. Makers Architecture (Seattle) designed the 80-foot diameter pavilion, which evokes the classic carousel houses built in the 1910s and 1920s. The structure will offer special event spaces for birthday parties, weddings and other celebrations.

“ Families want more active options for young children while they’re at the zoo,” said Janet True, a zoo board member, a member of the carousel’s Dave Towne Committee, and a long-time zoo supporter. “We can never fully thank Dave for what he has vastly contributed to our community. The carousel and pavilion is yet another special gift to the community.”

To donate, individuals can send contributions to: The Carousel Building Fund, Timeless Classic c/o Woodland Park Zoo, 601 N. 59th St., Seattle, WA 98103. To contribute through the Adopt-A-Horse program, visit www.zoo.org/carousel or call 206.615.1030.

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo’s mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.