Rod Serling Carousel

In Binghamton, New York at Recreation Park you will find what I call the Rod Serling Carousel.  A native of Binghamton, Rod Serling is mind behind numerous works of radio, televisions, movies, and more, however he is probably best known for The Twilight Zone.

We recently visited Binghamton on a weekend adventure, you can read all about the entire weekend here: New York & Pennsylvania Weekend with Rod Serling & "Weird Al"

While Mr. Serling drew inspiration for numerous pieces of his works from Binghamton, the Twilight Zone Season 1 Episode 5 "Walking Distance" appears to draw the most.

In the episode Martin Sloan has to stop at a service station to have work done on his car, turns out he is a short Walking Distance from his childhood hometown.  When he gets to town in very Twilight Zone fashion he has been transported back in time.

The gazebo, park, and carousel in the episode are all based on Recreation Park in Binghamton.  If you go visit there today you can see the Gazebo

and Carousel

and even a Statue unveiled in August 2024

The artwork on the Carousel features moments from popular episodes of the Twilight Zone.  I have taken photos and shared them below.

Walking Distance, Season 1 Episode 5

Rod Serling with the Gazebo

Time Enough At Last, Season 1 Episode 8

Living Doll, Season 5 Episode 6

The Howling Man, Season 2 Episode 5

To Serve Man, Season 3 Episode 24

It's A Good Life, Season 3 Episode 8

One For The Angels, Season 1 Episode 2

Nightmare At 20,000 Feet, Season 5 Episode 3

Here is a video I filmed of the carousel

Also in Binghamton you will from a sign at his old high school

They have an Annex building at the Bundy Museum that houses the Rod Serling Archive.  The Archives are a collection of Rod Serling related artifacts and memorabilia not just The Twilight Zone.  They did have an old TV that was playing Walking Distance on repeat, so that was very cool to check out.

Outside the entrance to the Annex Building is a mural

Until Next Time!