Richland Carrousel Park

The following review is submitted by Kristen Levithan of the blog Motherese.

Richland Carrousel Park in Mansfield, Ohio gives families the chance to step back in time and enjoy the fun of a carrousel ride, a great treat for all kids and kids-at-heart. Although the carrousel looks like a perfectly preserved antique, it is actually only twenty years old. Its 52 hand-carved animals were built and decorated in Mansfield in the style of old-fashioned merry-go-rounds and the scenery panels on the carrousel provide a glimpse into local history.

For their first few rides, my sons (ages four and two) loved choosing from among the many different animals the carrousel has to offer. They eventually settled on their favorites: a horse for my knight-happy preschooler and a giraffe for his younger brother. While my husband stood with the riders, I sat on one of the carrousel’s several stationary benches with my infant daughter who delighted in the colorful lights and moving animals. Although my children are quite young, kids of all ages seemed to appreciate the carrousel. One of the highlights of our visit was seeing several multi-generational families – toddlers, teens, parents, and grandparents – enjoying a ride together.

In addition to the carrousel itself, Richland Carrousel Park offers picnic tables, wooden rocking chairs, a nicely appointed gift shop, a small snack bar, and clean public bathrooms. Immediately outside the carrousel pavilion, there are two small grassy areas that gave my kids a great place to run around and blow off some road trip steam. The staff was very friendly and genuinely seemed to enjoy welcoming visitors to this unique attraction.

The only drawback of our visit is one you might expect: although undeniably charming, the traditional organ music that plays non-stop is very loud. My kids didn’t seem to mind the noise at all so I was more than happy to listen to an hour of carrousel polka.

If you ever find yourself in mid-Ohio, do make a pit stop at the Richland Carrousel Park. Your family will enjoy its trip back in time.

Tip: Be sure to pair this pit stop with the nearby Little Buckeye Children’s Museum!

Closest interstate: I-71

Cost of admission: Admission to the facility is free; tickets for the carrousel are $0.75 for one, $2.00 for three, $5.00 for eight, or $25.00 for fifty.

Hours of operation: The park is open every day except for Easter Sunday, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Hours are seasonal. (The pavilion is heated during the colder months.)

Dining options: The Carrousel Park includes a small snack bar that offers hot dogs, nachos, cotton candy, nuts, and popcorn. There are also a number of fast food and casual dining restaurants located near the highway exit and in downtown Mansfield near the park.

Directions: Richland Carrousel Park is located at 75 N. Main Street in Mansfield, Ohio. Take Exit 169 of I-71. Head north on OH-13 for 4.8 miles. Turn right on E. 1st St. Turn left onto S. Diamond St. Turn left onto 4th St. The carrousel is at the corner of 4th and Main Streets. Ample parking is available on the street and in a free public lot.

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