Military Park Carousel Opening

The Chambers Family Carousel Rides Again at Historic Military Park

A beloved Newark tradition is returning to historic Military Park.

Newark City Parks Foundation is proud to announce the reopening of the Chambers Family Carousel, the iconic merry-go-round that has become one of the park’s most recognizable and cherished features. To celebrate its return, the MCJ Amelior Foundation is sponsoring FREE carousel rides for the public, welcoming Newark families, residents and visitors to once again experience the joy of the carousel.

The reopening is more than the return of a park attraction. It is the restoration of a piece of Military Park’s identity and a celebration of Newark’s history, families and public spaces.

A Carousel Created for Newark

The Chambers Family Carousel was made possible through a generous gift from Newark native, businessman and philanthropist Ray Chambers and his family. The custom carousel was created by Carousels and Carvings of Marion, Ohio, with engineering support provided pro bono by Newark-based Thornton Tomasetti. Originally valued at approximately $450,000, the carousel was designed specifically for Military Park and Newark.

Its 16 horses were created to tell a story: each pays tribute to an important horse connected to Newark's history. From its earliest planning, the carousel was envisioned not simply as an amusement ride, but as a way for children and families to experience Newark's history through art, play and storytelling.The carousel opened to the public following the major revitalization of Military Park and quickly became a signature feature of the downtown landscape. Its image is so closely associated with the park that the carousel is featured in Military Park's logo.

Nearly 360 Years of History

There could hardly be a more fitting home for a carousel that tells Newark's story.

Military Park traces its origins to the founding of Newark in 1666, when the area was known as the Middle Commons. Laid out by Newark founder Robert Treat, the land later served as a military training ground during the French and Indian War and as an encampment for American troops during the Revolutionary War. It returned to military use during the War of 1812, was used to recruit soldiers during the Civil War, and served as a recruiting and civic mobilization site during World War I.

Over the centuries, the six-acre green space evolved from commons and military ground into one of Newark's most important civic gathering places. Today, historic Military Park remains a place where Newark's past and present meet—a downtown town square for gathering, recreation, culture, public art and community.

Bringing Back a Newark Icon

For years, children and families have associated the colorful horses and familiar circular canopy of the Chambers Family Carousel with a day in Military Park. Its reopening restores something that has been visibly missing from the park: a place created simply for joy, imagination and shared experience.

We are especially grateful to the MCJ Amelior Foundation for making this reopening celebration possible and for its longstanding commitment to Military Park. The Foundation was among the partners involved in the broader effort to revitalize Military Park more than a decade ago, and its support continues with this new investment in bringing the carousel back to life.

With the carousel turning again, a familiar piece of Newark is returning.

The horses are ready. The music is returning. And the Chambers Family Carousel is ready to ride again.

We invite Newarkers of all ages to come back to historic Military Park, take a ride, make a memory and celebrate the return of an icon. The Carousel official reopens on Friday, October 23, 2pm - 6pm and will be open Thursdays and Fridays from 3pm - 8pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm - 8pm.

And thanks to the generous support of the MCJ Amelior Foundation, everyone rides FREE as we welcome the Chambers Family Carousel back to Military Park.