One Of These Things Is Not Like The Others

OMG! The carousel is a big part of my childhood — and before it was badly refurbished the last time, was an amazing specimen of a classic steam-powered carousel, complete with brass rings, painted wooden animals, and a beautiful calliope. When the Arts and Industries Building was open, it was a nice compliment to the exhibits, and has always been way to keep museum-bleary kids interested in the day.

I used to take first dates to the carousel. If they enjoyed the frivolity of the ride, then I knew they were worth another date.

Yes, today it is less of a restored part of our past and more of a tourist trap, but I think it is an important part of the Mall experience.

Yes Columbo, you sound like an angry old man. I have a 3 year old and he would collapse if the carousel were removed. What PQ lacks is a place for children to play. Why not on the national mall, or somewhere in the general vicinity? We have to truck it out to the burbs to find a decent playground. For an area that is trying to be “residential,” I think thats sad. So does my son.

Yeah, you do sound like an angry old man.

#2, I feel almost exactly the same way except about my dog. I hate that I have to drive my dog out to the suburbs for any off leash dog park time. I don’t think the national mall is the place for a dog park though, nor do I think it’s the right place for a children’s playground. But for PQ to become more family friendly we’ll need more parks with amenities for everyone in all of our families.

You’re an angry old codger, Faulk. The day that I can’t stand in line with a bunch of sweaty, slack-jawed tourists from Orlando and pay a few bucks to bore a kid for a couple minutes on a decrepit merry-go-round is the day the terrorists win.

hahahahahaha. brilliant post. you’re an angry evil man, but thats a brilliant post.

Um, you are wrong. And obviously childless.

I am childless, old and love the carousel.

I couldn’t imagine the mall without it.

Also, I don’t mind kids playing in the middle of the mall, or the adults playing frisbee, ball, etc.

I do, however, hate to see dog feces in this area, or anywhere in PQ or the world. I see many people walking their dogs and they DO NOT pick up. This does ruin the image.

It is all a matter of personal taste.

I don’t have children either, and I love the carousel. It just looks fun and colorful and happy. I might ride it myself one day!

As to off-leash opportunities – I don’t really think a city apartment is the right home for a dog, either, but apparently I’m outnumbered on that one.

It definitely seems out of place.. like the carnival was in town, but forgot to pack up and take their carousel with them.

It is also nice oasis on the National Mall – especially during those hot & humid summer days.. and when the ice cream vendor is close by!

I don’t like children or dogs… but I do like the carousel. I also like cheese.

Clara Barton Dweller:
Many small dogs do well in city apartments. One breed that you wouldn’t expect to do well in apartments though is the Great Dane. They love small spaces (ie. chairs, corners) and are ideal for apartments.

Dog parks and playgrounds would be amazing for the city. We have plenty of city parks for just relaxing or having a picnic. A diversity of uses for people with different lives will only make our city more interesting and livable.

It’s interesting to see the reaction you all have, even if the consensus so far is that I’m an angry old coot. I’m enjoying the comments, although it’s probably a good thing I left of my side rant about the popcorn wagons on the Mall.

Popcorn wagon? Tourist LOVE it and don’t care about the overprice (this funds the Smithsonian). People equate eating junk food with vacation. Also for some tourists even buying from an outdoor vendor is an experience.

We drop a group at the museums with directions to meet back at 5:30 for the trip to dinner (which they have already paid for). The tourists arrive at the meeting place eating popcorn and ice cream …. and then we head to dinner. Oh, well …. they just spent money in our city. THANKS!

Sorry Fido and Jimmy, the parks in DC are reserved for the homeless.

I’ve not done the research but I believe that you’ll find there is a long history in this country of carousels being located in city parks. After all, carousels predate amusement parks by hundreds of years.

There’s at least one in a park in just about every major city that I’ve ever lived in (Central Park and Bryant Park in Manhattan, Prospect Park in Brooklyn, Franklin Square in Philadelphia, Franklin Park Zoo in Boston).

So, I think you’ve got it wrong, Columbo. Carousels in parks are the rule, rather than the exception.

#16. No where in my article do I suggest that public parks have never had carousels. Nor do I suggest that boardwalks (I assume that’s what you mean by amusement parks) came before carousels.

But this carousel was acquired by the Smithsonian in 1960. It wasn’t there “hundreds of years” before the creation of boardwalks (or amusement parks).

OMG – next are we going to talk about banning the ice skating on the Mall too? How about all activity that doesn’t include either civic activism or contemplation? I’m talking to you – “National Folk Life Festival”… And that kite flying festival… Don’t you know that the “pursuit of happiness is serious business??

And get off of my lawn while you’re at it!

On a little less sarcastic note – I would argue that for families visiting the National Capital, a lot of the stuff that’s on the Mall may be very interesting to the adults and older childen, but may quickly lose the interest of the younger ones. Having something like the Carousel to revive and excite the children during a long day of sightseeing is probably very welcomed by the tourist crowd who probably don’t consider it out of place at all.

Not everything about monumental DC has to be serious.

Tourists and children aside, what I love about the carousel is how unexpected it is. Yes, it’s oddly out-of-place but that’s part of its appeal.

And for what it’s worth, lackadaisi, we’re “child-free” not “childless.”

i agree with Andy there…if youve ever accompanied your nieces and nephews to the museums for hours… the few min of respite while they are on the carousel..seems pretty heavenly…
xoxo

Its a little expensive too – I think its $2 per ride which seemed a little steep to me.

But $13 for a cocktail is a bargain!

I love the carousel. Now, the old angry men who hang out around it, they creep me out.

I know this is an exercise in futility, but I’m going to try one last arguement. First off, #18, I mention in my post that I think the carousel belongs in a garden setting like you find at the National Gallery Garden (where the ice skating is located), so no, I’m not advocating the removal of that.

But a carousel? It’s not even an American invention. How about a Ferris Wheel? That was first demonstrated at the Chicago World’s Fair.

Or maybe a Log Floom? Perhaps we all agree that a Ferris Wheel or Log Floom would look silly & out of place on the Mall? I’ll be the lone voice of dissent about the merry-go-round I guess.

The carousel is definitely out of place, but in a good way. Here’s an idea: turn the unused Arts & Industries building into a children’s museum. Then the carousel would fit in perfectly.

Andy makes a good point, let’s pack up the Folk Life Festival, too. I attended once and decided that was enough. And what did I miss this year, learning about the cultural contributions of Texas? I can make my way to Captiol Q for the brisket without the Smithsonian’s help. As someone once noted to me, one of the best things about the festival is the ability to drink beer on the Mall. While I agree, I’d happily sacrifice that for the removal of the merry-go-round and the Smithsonian spending it’s money on more worthwhile pursuits.

I think this Columbo guy is just yanking our chain. Don’t take the bait. He can’t be serious.

i would freakin love a ferris wheel and a log flume on the mall!

and hot air balloon sightseeing rides!

Are you a communist? Carousels are AMERICAN! Don’t be a yuppie, maybe you need to get out of DC for a weekend and see the rest of the country.

#30, you think the carousel was invented in America?

Hmm, maybe this posting should go the way of Carly Fiorina in the McCain campaign: missing.

Wow, I walk by the carousel every day and I can’t wait until my kids are old enough to ride it. I love that it’s quirky and don’t find it to be out of place. C’mon give us some old fashioned corny fun in this city.

I admit defeat on this one, the people have spoken. Much as I hate that darn thing, I’m clearly in the (one man?) minority.

Columbo, you’re not alone. The carousel has no place on the Mall: it’s not historic, & it does not fit in with the Grand Plan.
The fact that so many people here support it only shows how misguided they are & what poor taste they have. Eventually the carousel will be removed, & no one will care.

Tangentially . . . there is a great looking playground at Haines Point, if anyone needs a local place to take kids to play. And, thankfully, it’s not the blazing hot, ass-burning metal playgrounds I played on as a kid!

The carousel blends in to the Mall very well, if you don’t walk or run by that side of the Mall, you won’t even notice it. The Mall is very boring in general besides the monuments, it has nothing like Central Park, Prospect Park or Boston Common.

The Mall serves a critical purpose in framing our national identity. & while I have no agenda against it, & basically just ignore it, the carousel simply does nothing positive for our history & identity as a nation. The Mall is not just a park; it’s unlike any other place in the country, & its purpose is unique.
As for the carousel’s popularity, if popularity were the only standard, then “Who Let the Dogs Out” would be considered one of the all-time great songs, up there with Hey Jude, As Time Goes By, Smells like Teen Spirit, & Dizzy up the Girl.

Our national identity? Please. If the Mall were representative of our national identity, it would be a mall. Although I suppose the carousel would be a better thematic fit if that were the case.

The carousel is no more of an aesthetic blight than the WWII monument, but since they both cater to the easily pleased (the very young and the very old) I think we’re stuck with both of them.

#39 I can’t believe you just called the WWII monument a blight! I’m really hoping you’re kidding about it, of all the monuments it probably deserves to be there the most…