Dane County Executive Falk Announces Opening of ‘Conservation Carousel’ at Henry Vilas Zoo Conservation

April 08, 2006
Lesley Sillaman, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 669-5606 Jim Hubing, Dane County Henry Vilas Zoo (608) 266-4708

Madison -- Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk today announced the opening of the new Conservation Carousel at the Henry Vilas Zoo. Patients and their families from the UW-Children’s Hospital were on hand to be the first riders on the carousel. Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and members of the Zoological Society joined Falk in cutting the ribbon on the ride. “The carousel is a wonderful example of partnerships that bring our community together, a terrific addition to our great zoo,” said Falk. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of the community, the Carousel will be the landmark structure in the completely new Children’s Zoo which is currently under renovation,” said Keith Oleson, President of the Zoological Society. The Carousel, a centerpiece of a new children’s zoo, is housed in a unique building, located at the South end of the Zoo, near the shore of Lake Wingra. The carousel features 36 hand carved animals and original murals that include scenes from around Dane County. Man of the carved animals represent endangered species around the world, including the Poison Dart Frog, Okapi, Siberian Tiger, Spectacled Bear, Tapir, Cassowary and Jaguar. The carousel cost approximately $348,000 and was made possible by the generosity of several donations, including a gift from the estate of Anna Maria Hammerli in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Hilarius Hammerli and Dr. Fred Hammerli, donated services by contractors, led by T. Wall Properties, and by donations to the Henry Vilas Zoological Society. The Carousel, was manufactured especially for Henry Vilas Zoo by the Carousel Works of Mansfield, Ohio. # # #