Spring is in the air, which means it’s time to re-visit your favorite local parks. Those who frequent Herndon’s Frying Pan Farm Park may be in for a surprise when they return this season. The Fairfax County Park Authority has announced that Frying Pan Farm Park’s carousel is closed and will be removed from the park.
The park’s announcement states that the damage was caused during the January snow storm that brought the “snowcrete” that blanketed the region for weeks.
“After detailed inspections by staff and specialists, the ride was found to be unsafe to repair or operate,” said the notice on Frying Pan Farm Park’s website. “For the safety of visitors and staff, the carousel will be permanently closed and removed from the park.”
The park is expected to install a replacement carousel next spring.
The park’s carousel – aka the Allan Herschell Carousel – was built by Herschell’s company in 1918. It’s one of 3,000 carousels built by one of his companies. In 1975, the carousel made its debut in the Lee District (which is generally the Springfield and Franconia area) after it was purchased for the park authority. In 2011, the portable carousel was relocated to Frying Pan Farm Park, where it has been located for the last 15 years. It had undergone restorations in 2018.
Even though the Herndon ride has been removed, you can still enjoy a spin on one of the other carousels found at Fairfax County Park Authority parks. Those include Burke Lake Park, Clemyjontri Park, Franconia Family Recreation Area, and Lake Accotink.
Feature image by Don Sweeney/Fairfax County Park Authority
