Miller Park holds a 5K run to raise funds to repair the zoo carousel

Posted on March 3, 2024
The carousel will be sent off in May to be restored, and the restoration will take about six to eight months. (Photo courtesy: Miller Park Zoo)

By WMBD

BLOOMINGTON – Hundreds of people stampeded their way through Miller Park in Bloomington to raise money to save the Miller Park Zoo carousel.

The annual “Stampede Run” raised more than $15,000. The total cost to repair the carousel is $150,000.

The day started with a kid’s run through the zoo, followed by the 5K Run and 3K Walk around the park.

The first runner crossed the finish line just after 18 minutes.

“There’s been a carousel in Miller Park for decades. So there are lots of folks in our community that have a fond memory and appreciate that we’re keeping a carousel in the park. Our animals, on the carousel, are aluminum. They’re not carved wood, so they’re going to be easier for the muralists to strip and repaint. So we’re excited, it’s going to be beautiful,” said Development Director Paula Pratt.

The carousel will be sent off in May to be restored, and the restoration will take about six to eight months.

WMBD can be reached at [email protected].

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