Iconic carousel, snack bar at Easton’s Beach to be demolished

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — Two popular attractions at Easton’s Beach in Newport are set to be demolished.

Newport Communications Officer Tom Shevlin said both the carousel and snack bar are unsafe, and the matter has become more urgent with the rising tide.

The carousel has been closed since 2021, when an engineering report found extensive structural issues. Shevlin said a full check of the complex showed that the snack bar near the carousel was also unsafe.

He said the carousel will not disappear — the plan is to save it and relocate somewhere new.

“Over the coming months we’ll be working with the City Council, Beach Commission, and community stakeholders to determine the best and most resilient path forward for what we know to be one of our most beloved community assets,” Shevlin said.

A full rebuild was estimated at $35 million.

Shevlin said the look of a new facility will be decided by the City Council.

He noted the rotunda and the bath houses were not included in the request for proposal and are being preserved.

Bids are due by March 1. More information will be released about the demolition as officials complete the RFP process.