The state park near us installed a small ice skating rink for the winter. The park applied for a special winter sport/visitor grant. They beat out all the other state parks in the state and were rewarded with money to buy all the supplies for the rink and skates. Skating is free to the public and you can go at any time during the day. The grant money is from state park entrance/parking fees. They have ice skates in multiple sizes (the skates are also adjustable sizes). During the month of January, they had an ice skating schedule and night skates. Clara and Ruby have enjoyed going and trying their hand at skating.
Although the park has a creek that comes through the center of the park, the rink is not on the creek. The rink is like a big, shallow above ground swimming pool. The rink is made up of plastic sides, with a thin plastic membrane laid on the ground and up over the plastic sides. The rink is capped off with the yellow foam to hold everything together. The rink is then filled with water and then the rest is up to the air temperature. In most places in the rink the ice is at a 6 to 8 inch depth, with one corner having 14 inches.
The girls like going and trying to learn. There have been a few tumbles but they are quick to get up and try again.
We have loved having the “free” ice rink so close to us and try to go at least once a week.
(Ruby’s and Clara’s first time out on the ice with skates on their feet.)
