WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks’ historic Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel will provide its last ride at Wheaton Regional Park on Sunday, October 27, 2024. After that, the carousel, which has thrilled thousands of children, will be refurbished and relocated to its new home in Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park in Clarksburg. Tickets are still available for a nostalgic ride on the carved wooden horses.
What: Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel
When: Weekends through October
9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Where: Wheaton Regional Park
2000 Shorefield Road
Wheaton, Maryland 20902
Tickets: $3.50 each. Available for purchase onsite. Children under 2 years-old ride free with an accompanying adult.
The Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel was built in 1915 and features 33 hand-carved horses, three zebras, and two chariots. Jim Wells operated it on the National Mall for the Smithsonian Institution from 1967 until 1981. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission purchased the carousel in 1981. Wells’ aunt, Hallie Wells, donated her farm in Clarksburg for a future park dedicated to her late husband Ovid Hazen Wells. The land gift came with the stipulation the carousel would eventually move to that park. While Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park was in development, the carousel was on loan to Wheaton Regional Park.
“We know how much this carousel means to the thousands of families who have ridden on it over the years,” said Christy Turnbull, division chief at Montgomery Parks. “But it is time for this beloved attraction to go to its intended home and we will bring a new carousel to Wheaton starting in the spring of 2025. This really is a win for both parks.”
The Wheaton miniature train will remain at Wheaton Regional Park and will not be affected by the carousel replacement.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 419 parks. Montgomery Parks is focused on promoting physical activity, social connectivity, and environmental stewardship, especially in diverse and urbanizing areas, with an emphasis on teens, working-age adults, and seniors. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. MontgomeryParks.org
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Accessibility for more information.
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