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Flowers in bloom near the Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park on May 5, 2016. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]

The planned restoration of the carousel at Binghamton's Ross Park won't be happening as quickly as expected.

The merry-go-round - which has been a fixture on the city's South Side since 1920 - was to be dismantled by now. But the project has been delayed.

Steven Contento, the zoo executive director, said the carousel will be available for visitors for at least part of the upcoming season.

Contento said the ride is scheduled to open on Memorial Day at the end of the month.

A city board which reviews contracts in March gave its approval to a bid by WRF Designs of Connecticut to do the restoration work for $425,850.

City officials have not announced when they now expect the project to begin. Under the original plan, the zoo would have been without the carousel for 13 months.

When the restoration is completed, the carousel will be reassembled in a different spot at the zoo. It will be located near the park picnic pavilion.

Contento said the merry-go-round will be visible to people as they enter the zoo property using the Morgan Road entrance.

A new enclosure will protect the restored carousel from the elements.

Rides on the carousel are free and will remain that way to honor the wishes of George F. Johnson. He donated a half-dozen carousels for use by Broome County residents nearly a century ago.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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