Clarification: This story has been updated to clarify the park’s status as 16th oldest in the world. It is the 16th oldest that has been consistently operational.
Raleigh residents waited a long time for the renovations to Pullen Park. On Saturday, some showed their love for their old favorite while others came to discover Pullen for the first time.
Pullen Park is the 16th oldest consistently operational park in the world and has been closed for two years for a complete overhaul. As one mother explained to her daughter, “When you were last here you were 7 years old.”
A long line of children and parents waited for their first ride the on the main attraction: the beloved refurbished carousel.
The rumor going through the park was the line for the train ride was two hours but that did not stop folks from buying tickets.
Next year, the park will be 125 years old. Check out some photos of the reopening.
Click on each image to view full size.
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- One of the carousel horses in action.
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- A refurbished pig, one of the animals you can ride on the carousel.
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- Mayor Meeker received a gift for his service prior to giving his speech at the dedication ceremony.
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- Melinda Curtis gives her 4-month-old son, Gian, kisses as they wait in the line for carousel rides Saturday afternoon at Pullen Park.
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- One of the beautiful details is the Pullen Park cutout on the iron bar that holds the bell on each of the kiddie boats.
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- A refurbished lion, one of the choices on the carousel.
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- Six-year-olds Daniel Watson, left and Zalan Miko, right, explore the train caboose that is part of Pullen Park.
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- The train ride begins its five-minute ride through Pullen Park.
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- Quinn Brothers, 6 months old, takes his first carousel ride with his dad, Shaun Brothers of Cary, N.C.
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- Maci Murrell, 5, of Raleigh watches the boats float along in the Pullen Lake. Photo by Karen Tam.
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- Two little girls wave to the passing Pullen Park train ride.
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- A spot for quiet reflection at the newly reopened Pullen Park.
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- Crowds filled Pullen Park Saturday for the official re-opening.
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- Renee Tyler holds her 2-year-old son Miles, who is exhausted after a long day at Pullen Park. The line behind them is for the train ride.
