Griffith Park- Acquisition & Restoration of the Historic Merri Go ‘Round
Summary
SCH Number
2025090524
Public Agency
City of Los Angeles
Document Title
Griffith Park- Acquisition & Restoration of the Historic Merri Go ‘Round
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/11/2025
Document Description
The proposed Project consists of the acquisition and restoration of the historic Merry Go 'Round at Griffith Park. Built in 1926 by the Spillman Engineering Corporation, the Merry Go ‘Round was relocated from San Diego to Griffith Park in 1937. The Merry Go ‘Round is one of the few examples of a Spillman Engineering 4-Abreast Carousel that remains intact in North America. Featuring 68 wood-carved and bejeweled horses in four rows, with examples of Looff, Spillman and Carmel jumper horses throughout, it boasts two chariots and an elaborately-detailed ceiling kit. It also includes a Stinson 165 Military Band Organ which plays over 1,500 hundred songs. Based upon initial assessments, the Merry Go ’Round requires mechanical repairs and restoration work in order for its reopening and ongoing operation. RAP anticipates that these steps will be taken with the intent to preserve the historic mechanical structure and represent a multi-year effort to be sustained through fund raising campaigns. Beneficiaries of the project are the patrons of the park.
Contact Information
Name
Elena Maggioni
Agency Name
City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Park
Job Title
Environmental supervisor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Los Angeles
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Citywide, Southern California
Cross Streets
Crystal Springs Dr and Fire Rd
Zip
90027
Total Acres
0.5
Township
1N
Range
13W
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 16 CCR Title 14 Sec. 15325(e) and 15331
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed Project consists of an acquisition to preserve historical resources and of the rehabilitation, restoration, preservation, and conservation of historical resources in a manner consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings (1995), Weeks and Grimmer.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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