Out and About Rochester
Manhattan Square Park
Skatin' in the City!
By Erin Mahany
This winter, don't let the blustery Rochester weather keep you and your family cooped up inside. Ice skating is a great way to get everyone active and having fun during these chilly months. So lace up your skates, grab a Thermos of cocoa, and head on over to Manhattan Square Park!
With its outdoor ice rink and location in the heart of downtown, the park has been a popular wintertime spot since its construction in the 1970s. Renovated last year, it now boasts upgraded sound and lighting systems, as well as a new warming center (complete with heated floors and a fireplace). Out on the refurbished rink, which is now 30% larger, you can glide – or wobble, if you're anything like me! – around on their new rental skates.
The rink is open 7 days a week and offers several open skate times daily (check out www.cityofrochester.gov for a complete list of session times). Fees are $4 for adults and $2 for youths under 17, with a family maximum of $12. Season passes are also available for $60. Skate rentals are $3.
In addition to Manhattan Square Park, there are many other places throughout the Rochester area that offer open skate times (see sidebar). With all these opportunities to practice your triple axels, you'll be skating like a pro in no time!
Where It’s Located:
353 Court Street, Rochester
When It's Open:
Daily; for list of open skate times, visit www.cityofrochester.gov
Other Places to Skate
Churchville Park
Kendall Road and Main Street, Churchville. Rink located by the Church Lodge off Main Street
10am-10pm daily.
For more information, call
256-4950 or visit
www.monroecounty.gov
Ellison Park
Blossom & Landing Roads, Penfield. Rink is located in the large parking lot off of Blossom Road.
7am-4pm Mon.-Thurs.; 7am-11pm Fri.-Sun.
Note: Skaters must bring their own skates; no rentals available.
For more information, call
256-4950 or visit
www.monroecounty.gov
SUNY Brockport Tuttle North Ice Arena
New Campus Drive, Brockport
For more information, call
395-2244 or visit www.brockport.edu
Webster Ice Arena
865 Publishers Parkway, Webster
Hours TBA: Websterarena.org
For more information, call
787-3530 or visit
www.websterarena.org
For More Information:
Visit www.cityofrochester.gov
Erin Mahany is a Journalism intern from Villanova University.
This column appeared originally in the December 2009 issue of Genesee Valley Parent Magazine.