William Nunley chose the spot for
his kiddie park in Baldwin due to its accessibility by public transport. It was
located across from a Long Island Railroad stop. The site was originally home
to the restaurant the Dutch Mill and a carousel pavilion. In 1947, additional
rides were added and it became a true amusement park. This small park featured
rides geared for young children.
The first roller coaster was
designed by the Pinto brothers until the mid-1950’s. It was then replaced with
a new coaster designed by B. A. Schiff & Associates. A miniature golf
course was added to the park in 1961.
The most iconic element of Nunley’s Amusement part was the beloved 1912
Stein and Goldstein carousel. Nunley’s Carousel was created in 1912 by the
Stein and Goldstein Artistic Carousell Co. of Brooklyn New York. The carousel
was installed on the Brooklyn waterfront in Canarsie’s Golden City Park where
it was known as “Murphy’s” carousel and operated for 26 years. In the Spring of 1940, it reopened as Nunley's
Carousel
The most memorable feature of the
carousel was the rung grab, Children could reach out and snatch a rung. If they
got a brass ring, they won a free ride. The carousel remained in Baldwin until
the park closed in 1995. It was originally scheduled to go up for auction, but
Nassau County purchased the carousel so it could remain in the community. It
remained in storage from 1995-2007. A local nine-year olf girl began a
fundraising program called “Pennies for Ponies” to raise the necessary funds to
restore the carousel. It was moved to its current location in Museum Row in
Garden City in 2009.
Sources:
Berman, Marisa L. Historic Amusement Parks of Long Island.
The History Press, 2015
“Historic Nunley's Carousel on
Museum Row.” Cradle of Aviation Museum,
www.cradleofaviation.org/plan_your_visit/nunleys_carousel.html
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