The region’s largest outdoor ice skating rink opens Friday, Nov. 28, for season-long, family-friendly fun on the banks of the scenic Great Miami River in downtown Dayton. Admission to the MetroParks Ice Rink at RiverScape MetroPark (237 E. Monument Ave.) is $5 daily, and visitors can rent ice skates for just $2.
Work off Thanksgiving indulgences on the ice and treat out-of-town guests during the
grand-opening weekend, part of the Dayton Holiday Festival:
- Friday, Nov. 28, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 29, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 30, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
MetroParks Ice Rink will be open through Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, including special holiday hours while the kids are out of school. The rink will be open during both the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, as well as during other holidays and special events throughout the season. Visitmetroparks.org/icerink for the complete schedule.
Season passes are available for purchase: $75 family passes cover season-long admission and skate rentals for up to five people, and $40 individual passes cover the same costs for one person. Gift certificates are available in any dollar amount. Call 937-274-0126 for more information.
Beginning in January, every Friday evening will be devoted to a genre of music or music legend. All events are held from 7 to 10 p.m. Themes include:
- Jan. 9: Michael Jackson Skate
- Jan. 16: Sounds from the Cinema Skate
- Jan. 23: Divas of Pop Skate
- Jan. 30: Old Soul Skate
While at RiverScape MetroPark, visitors can warm up by the fire and grab snacks, hot chocolate and more at the adjacent Silver Fern Café, which will be open during rink hours.
Skating lessons for adults and children are held at the rink throughout the season and cover basic skills that will have participants moving comfortably on the ice. Visit metroparks.org/skating for a list of lessons and other events that will be held at the MetroParks Ice Rink. In addition, registration is now open for the 2015 curling and broomball leagues.
Private ice rink rentals are available from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday and Thursday evenings and are a great activity for families, neighborhoods, clubs and other groups. The $300 rink rental includes 50 pairs of ice skates and 50 cups of hot chocolate. Invite Parker the Penguin, the MetroParks Ice Rink mascot, to your party for an additional $75/hr. Call 937-274-0126 for more information and to schedule.
“With its appeal to both young and old, the experience of skating at the MetroParks Ice Rink is fast becoming a holiday tradition for Miami Valley families looking for something fun to do together,” said James Carter, RiverScape MetroPark rental concession supervisor. “With its location along the riverfront, the MetroParks Ice Rink also is a great way to experience the outdoors during cooler weather.”
