Pullen Park closed until next spring

Raleigh shuts down Pullen Park to renovate amusement area

Adair-Hayes Crane

Staff Writer

Pullen Park, the park located next to the University, will remain closed for renovations to the amusement area until spring 2011. The Pullen Arts and Aquatic Center will remain open, however.

The city of Raleigh closed the amusement center of the park off to the public on December 14, 2009. They also drained the lake where people rent paddleboats or feed the ducks.

Kelly Price, a junior in parks and recreation management, said she is excited about the reopening of the park.

“Hopefully the new renovations will bring more people to Pullen and in the long run will fill the void of the park being closed now,” Price said. “It will be beneficial to the community and I’m looking forward to visiting the newly-updated park.”

According to the city of Raleigh website, one of the renovations will be a new carousel house for the Dentzel Carousel. The carousel will feature 52 animals and has been a staple to the park since 1911. The renovations will also consist of a new concessions building, train station, restroom, and welcome center.

Ryan Magnusson, a junior in communication, said he is looking forward to the completed renovations.

“I’m glad they’re renovating the bathrooms because they were always dirty,” Magnusson said. “I cannot wait to use the new carousel.”

The park will also be getting new playground equipment, a new entrance, and new picnic facilities to accommodate visitors.

Molly Wilkins, a junior in philosophy, says she takes her niece and nephew there often and is glad to see that the city of Raleigh is renovating the area.

“I’m happy they are making renovations because it’s such a great place for kids to play and it’s beautiful,” Wilkins said. “It needed a face lift.”

The train that is in the park is a close replica to the C.P. Huntington locomotive and will be receiving a new station upon the completion of the renovations.

Fencing and signs have been placed around the park area to warn visitors who may come try and visit the park this spring that the area is undergoing construction.

“Over the course of the renovations expect to see city of Raleigh staff, including parks and recreation and public utilities, and outside contractors working on the site daily,” city of Raleigh website posted.

Pullen Park is the fifth oldest operating amusement park in the United States and with the new renovations will most likely be open for many years to come. The City of Raleigh expects the Amusement Center of Pullen Park to reopen in Spring 2011, just in time for warm summer days spent on the carousel and paddleboats.