The Prospect Park Carousel will be free for kids to ride on Thursdays in August. We know this because the man we call the Oracle of Prospect Park, Eugene Patron, emailed us about it. Here’s an excerpt:

The best family fun ride in the heart of Brooklyn just got better: Prospect Park’s 1912 Carousel is free for kids under the age of 12 every Thursday in August, courtesy of Astoria Federal Savings. “Enjoying the cool breezes and joyous music while riding the Prospect Park Carousel is a perfect family outing,” said Prospect Park Alliance President, Tupper Thomas. “It’s wonderful that Astoria Federal Savings is making it possible for even more people to experience this great treasure of the Park.”

Restored in 1990 by the Prospect Park Alliance, the Carousel has 51 hand carved horses, as well as a giraffe, lion, deer and two dragon-pulled chariots. The Carousel’s melodic Wurlitzer organ with 141 pipes and 16 bells is dedicated in honor of philanthropists Peter and Isabel Malkin. The Carousel is open Thursdays through Sundays, from 12 – 6 p.m. (5 p.m. after Labor Day). Rides cost only $1.50…The Carousel is located in the Park’s Children’s Corner, just inside the Willink entrance to the Park, at Ocean and Flatbush Avenues and Empire Boulevard. The nearest subways are the Q, S, or B Train to Prospect Park station.

Go forth and ride for free.