In all, 23 creatures are in the works, and only two -- a porcupine, who doesn't have a sponsor yet, and the deer, who hasn't a woodcutter -- are still in early stages of development.

CHARACTERS

The turtle, carved in Missoula, Mont., is actually finished and making rounds on a similar carousel there, Greenwood said, before it gets shipped here.

"He's taking a test drive," Greenwood said with a grin.

The "he" or "she" of each creature is, in part, determined by its coloration or shape.

But sometimes the carver's story has a lot to do with defining gender, Greenwood explained.

"Like Hank' the heron is just what Leo, the carver, called him."

Groundbreaking for the Adirondack Carousel pavilion is slated for after Columbus Day at William Morris Play Park, Greenwood said.

And the project has ramped into overdrive.

"We have so many people just jumping on board right now; it's great."

STARTED IN 2001

Since its inception by Saranac Lake artist Karen Loffler in 2001, the Adirondack Carousel has kept a steady momentum.

Carving each animal by hand, as in the original days of carousel makers, takes many years.

By the time it's finished, the project will have cost nearly $2.5 million.

In 2006, village trustees dedicated space for the carousel in a historic public park, not far from the train depot.