LOCAL residents are calling on city parks officials to earmark donated cash from a Forest Park film shoot for the shuttered, historic carousel, according to the New York Daily News.
Crews filming the "The Sitter" took over the park and the carousel in recent weeks to shoot scenes for the comedy.
A spokesman for 20th Century Fox, the film's production company, said it made a "substantial" donation to Forest Park.
Both the film company and the Parks Department have refused to disclose the amount.
The carousel, called priceless by experts, has been closed for two years while the Parks Department searches for someone interested in operating it as a concession. It was crafted more than 100 years ago by Daniel Carl Muller, considered a master woodcarver of the genre.
"Our kids deserve the chance to enjoy our carousel, not just some Hollywood celebrities," said Ed Wendell of the Woodhaven Residents Block Association. "That's why we're calling for every penny of that generous donation to be allocated to the restoration and reopening of the carousel."
Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski pointed out that the crews also filmed at other locations in the park.
"I understand people's concerns for the carousel, but that donation is for use of the park," she said. "The movie crews did some cleaning and repair work to the carousel and the concession stand. You have to consider that an in-kind donation.
"There must be transparency and accountability with these donations," said Geoffrey Croft of NYC Park Advocates, a watchdog group. "Unfortunately, that is not happening."
