Edhat Staff
Carousel House before the historic carousel was removed (Photo: Ian McKaig)
Source: City of Santa Barbara
The Carousel House in Chase Palm Park, formerly home to a historic carousel, will reopen for public use this month, the City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department announced today. The Carousel House, located just off East Cabrillo Boulevard and adjacent to the Santa Barbara Waterfront, will soon house public and private events and recreational fitness classes. The newly-refurbished building will support recreation and community events and provide a unique venue for private celebrations.
“I’m so glad we’ve been able to find a way to get this building open for public use again,” said Parks and Recreation Director Jill Zachary. “Our plan is to continue finding ways the Carousel House can truly be a resource to the Santa Barbara community.”
Use of the Carousel House as an outdoor venue for recreation classes fits neatly with Department goals to promote outdoor fitness and community wellness opportunities in public park settings. At the same time, it is hoped that opening the building for community events, festivals, and private event rentals will revitalize Chase Palm Park, bringing in revenue to support the many low-cost recreation programs and community services offered by the Parks and Recreation Department.
About the Carousel House
The Carousel House was built as part of the Chase Palm Park expansion in 1998, which extended Chase Palm Park across East Cabrillo Boulevard and created a park suited for waterfront strolls and gatherings of all sizes. The Carousel House and its plaza occupy the West end of the park, at Garden Street and East Cabrillo Boulevard. The Allan Herschell three-abreast carousel, owned by Historic Carousels Inc., was installed in 1999. In late 2017, the 101-year-old carousel was removed in order to preserve it as a museum exhibit.
The opportunity to rent the Carousel House – which includes the adjacent sunken plaza – for private events is new, and will offer a unique venue to host events of all kinds in Santa Barbara’s beautiful waterfront. The 3,600 square foot building’s interior maximum occupancy is 240, and its proximity to the beach, Stearns Wharf, and nearby parking lots makes it a versatile location. The Parks and Recreation Department plans to host a showcase open house at the Carousel House later this spring, and those interested in adding their names to the calendar for 2018–2019 events should call Leslie Lund at (805) 897-1983 to find out more.
About the Parks and Recreation Department
The City of Santa Barbara’s Parks and Recreation Department proudly maintains a wide range of parks, facilities, and programs designed to serve the needs of the community.
The mission of the Department is to provide clean and safe parks, beaches, and recreation facilities; to enhance Santa Barbara’s beauty; to promote stewardship of resources; and to provide quality recreation and cultural experiences and community services to improve the quality of life for Santa Barbara residents.
To find out more about the Parks and Recreation Department, please visit the City of Santa Barbara website at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/ParksAndRec
Reference Information
- Location: 223 East Cabrillo Boulevard (at Garden Street), Santa Barbara, CA 93103
- Square footage: 3,600
- Maximum interior occupancy: 240
- Event inquiries call: (805) 897-1983
- Activities inquiries call: (805) 897-2519
All right!!! Another opportunity for a public agency to fund absurd pension plans by renting public property for private events, and depriving tax payers from access to tax supported resources.