After two years of renovating, Raleigh's Pullen Park reopened on Saturday.
Hundreds showed up for the first day, many who came with their children, said they have fond memories from the park from decades ago.
"I used to come here years ago when I was younger," said Tracy Crawford.
Crawford brought her daughter Kennedi to ride the same carousel she did as a kid.
Melissa Edmonston has a similar story.
"I mean it is so incredible to see my son here, and just to watch him ride the train, and the carousel, I don't think there is anything better than that experience," said Edmonston.
Edmonston is now 32, she first came to the park 30 years ago when she was the same age as her son.
Councilman Thomas Crowder cut the ribbon for the grand reopening and said he cannot wait for residents to make future memories and he hopes to have some too.
"We had our great grandparents, grandparents, parents, us and our children, that's five, and someday we'll have a sixth generation coming," said Crowder.
The carousel at the park is 100 years old. Each animal was restored and hand-painted by Lisa Parr.
"If it missed a hoof or a leg or it needed some re-carving I do that," said Parr.
Parr said each animal took her about a month to restore.
Besides the carousel, the park also has a train, playground, paddle boats, and food.
Over $6 million went to restore the park, it was all paid for with bond money. Pullen Park is open everyday of the week from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
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