Raleigh launches Community Carousel Challenge to encourage rides on the city's two carousels

Raleigh is encouraging all of us to explore the city's two historic carousels as part of the Community Carousel Challenge, which runs March 1 to March 31.

For each ride you take on the carousels at John Chavis Memorial Park or Pullen Park during the month of March, you'll win a chance to name a carousel animal of your choice. Each ride equals one entry. The city hopes to reach a total of 1,250 rides.

Pullen Park's historic Dentzel carousel has long been popular for families. It first opened in 1921 and sits on the National Register of Historic Places, according to the city.

The carousel at Chavis Park is lesser known, but still historic. Built in 1923, the Allan Herschell Carousel arrived at Chavis in 1937 when the park opened as a so-called separate but equal park for African American residents during the Jim Crow era. The park was integrated in the 1960s, but it remains a gathering spot for the African American community. The park is now undergoing some massive renovations, but the carousel remains open.

Chavis, at 505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, also just a few miles down the road from Pullen Park, at 520 Ashe Ave.

Tickets to ride the carousels are $1.50 each. To take part in the challenge, you just need to buy a ticket, ride a carousel and get your raffle ticket after your ride to complete and submit to the park.

A winner will be drawn each week. The winner will get to name a carousel animal — naming rights are valid through Dec. 31. Park staff can approve names before publishing.

More information is on the city's website.