Pullen Park facelift is paying off

Raleigh, N.C. — A $6.3 million renovation at Raleigh's premier park is paying off for the city. Since reopening in November, Pullen Park has brought in about $725,000 in ticket sales alone.

Before the facelift, the 66-acre park averaged between $500,000 and $600,000 per year in ticket sales, concessions and shelter rentals. Ticket prices have remained the same.

Michael Dantonio has been visiting the park for nearly three decades – first with his own children, now with his grandchildren.

"It's more fun coming as a grandparent, and the park is a lot nicer," he said.

The park now features a climate-controlled carousel house, updated playground, new train and handicap access.

"(It) seems very kid friendly, stroller friendly," said mother Kelli Hemmerlein. "(There are) nice ramps. Everyone can walk around."

Park officials say the renovation, which took about two years to complete, brought the grounds into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bob Sherman said the park is a big summertime attraction for his family.

"It's great. We come about every other week or every third week," he said. "(It's) absolutely worth it. It's awesome."

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Pullen Park is a historic part of our capital city, so it should be preserved. It serves as a common area where people can gather and have fun. My husband enjoyed it 50+ years ago (he can still pick out the horse he road on the carousel), and so did my twin boys when they were younger. We always considered it a great deal with the amount of fun we had. It's about making memories.

robertsbetsy3
August 7, 2012 4:20 p.m.

"paying off" doesn't mean they have to actually generate all the money to pay for the renovations. The city has a budget to spend and they used that money to spruce up the park. They don't have to raise more money to replace it. It's "paying off" in that people are using it and enjoying it, and it's bringing in good revenue too.

Lightfoot3
August 7, 2012 10:13 a.m.

"Why cant people just walk and enjoy their own back yard and save 6 million dollars." - superman

Not everyone can afford acres of backyard. Not everyone can afford the landscaping. Not everyone can afford to put in a train, or a pond with paddleboats, etc., into their backyard. Many live in apartments with no backyards. Pullen Park is a good thing.

Lightfoot3
August 7, 2012 10:05 a.m.

"enjoy their own back yard and save 6 million dollars"- with all the condos and apartment, people don't HAVE back yards. We have parks for the public good. The number of people going to the park speaks for itself that people enjoy and actually use it- even before the makeover, it was well used- and has been for generations.