New carousel ride opens at Evansville's Mesker Park Zoo

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - There's a new carousel ride at the Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Gardens in Evansville.

The Engelbrecht Carousel features 30 endangered animals. It's housed inside a heated pavilion with retractable windows to protect it from the elements so that it can be operated during cold weather. The Evansville Courier and Press reports that there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday to open the carousel to the public. A 2ˆ½ minute ride will cost $2.

Zoo officials say completion of the carousel is the first step in efforts to attract new visitors, boost revenues and enhance visitor experiences. The $2.8 million project includes the carousel and an event space available for public use. The next phase of the project includes an aviary. The zoo is still seeking donors for that.

___

Information from: Evansville Courier & Press, http://www.courierpress.com