Aug 30, 2008
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Aug 30, 2008 |
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Ice skating on Long Island
pat.burson@newsday.com December 14, 2007 For some, winter wouldn't be complete without a trip to the local ice skating rink. A number of indoor and outdoor rinks on Long Island and in Manhattan offer public skating sessions, and some, such as Cantiague Park in Hicksville, the former training facility for the Islanders in the 1980s, offer speedskating sessions, host league hockey games and have theme nights for teens and expanded holiday hours. Other rinks are nestled into picturesque park settings in residential areas. The rink in Christopher Morley Park in Roslyn- North Hills, for example, is popular with a group of seniors who call themselves the "Frisky Prunes" and hit the ice on weekday mornings, older teens who prefer the evening sessions, and families who like to go there on weekends. The rink is used for hockey games Monday and Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings, and also can be rented for parties. The "hearth room" skate building is a popular hangout on cold days, where skaters can warm themselves in front of a toasty fire. The rinks draw a mix of local residents - hockey players scouting for a quick pickup game, speed skaters sharpening their skills, novices and winter-lovers who can't get enough time on the ice. Most charge $3-$5 to rent a pair of skates and less than $10 if you want to take to the ice during a public skating session. Many also offer private skating lessons for different ages and skill levels. We've included what some of the rinks offer on Long Island and in Manhattan. A word to the wise: Schedule changes do occur, so call the rink or check its Web site before you go. NASSAU COUNTY Cantiague Park West John Street, Hicksville, 516-571-7056 Admission: $3 to $12, depending on age, residency and Leisure Passport Skate rental: $4 One of Long Island's busiest indoor ice skating rinks and the former practice center for the New York Islanders, Nassau County's Cantiague Park offers Friday "theme nights" from 9-11 p.m. through the end of December. Teen skaters are invited to dress in a costume appropriate to the theme and music. Friday, Dec. 14's theme is "School Pride" (Pop); Dec. 21, is "Holiday" (holiday music); and Dec. 28 is "Rave" (techno). Two-hour public sessions in December are held Friday at 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Open 1 p.m.-3 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Christopher Morley Park Searingtown Road, off Exit 36N of the Long Island Expressway in Roslyn-North Hills, 516-571-8123 or nassaucountyny.gov/parks. Admission: $3 to $12, depending on age, residency and Leisure Passport Skate rental: $4 This outdoor ice-skating rink is framed by trees, landscaped hills and a small boat basin. It's open seven days a week with two-hour sessions starting at 10:30 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 4 p.m. Evening sessions Thursday at 6:45 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Patrons can "Skate with Santa" Saturday, Dec. 15 from 1:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m. Doors open 15 minutes before each session. Concessions are available on Friday evenings and weekends. Grant Park Near Broadway and Sheridan avenues, Hewlett, 516-571-7821 or nassaucountyny.gov/parks Admission: $3 to $12, depending on age, residency and Leisure Passport Skate rental: $4 This outdoor skating rink in a 35-acre park offers two-hour day sessions seven days a week, starting at 10 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., with one-hour sessions on Fridays starting at 8:30 p.m. Hempstead Lake State Park Off Peninsula Boulevard, West Hempstead, 516-766-1029. Admission: No fee Skate rental: Not available Skating outdoors on McDonald Pond is allowed based on safety conditions and the park manager's discretion. Call ahead for latest information. Iceland Skating Rink 3345 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park, 516-746-1100. Admission: $7 for adults, $6 ages 7 to 10, $5 for kids under 7. Skate rental: $3 Public skating sessions are held every Monday and Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Friday teen night from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with a DJ. On weekends, kids ages 10 and younger can skate in kids-only sessions from noon-1:30 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday. Parents or guardians who also pay the admission fee can skate along with them. All ages skates Saturday from 1:45-4:15 p.m. and 8:30-10:30 p.m.; Sundays from 1:15-3:45 p.m. Marjorie R. Post Community Park Unqua and Merrick roads, Massepequa, 516-797-7990. Admission: Town of Oyster Bay residents only (proof required); $4 adults, $3 ages 5 to 17. Skate rental: $3 This outdoor rink hosts two-hour public skating sessions are held on Wednesday, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Concessions are available. There will be additional holiday hours Dec. 23 through Dec. 31, including two sessions on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The rink will closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Newbridge Arena 2600 Newbridge Road, Bellmore, 516-783-6181 or newbridgearena.com. Admission: $7; $6 for Town of Hempstead residents Skate rental: $3 Indoor facility offers two hour public skating sessions Monday at 4 p.m., Thursday at 8 a.m.; Friday at 9:45 a.m., 1:45 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon, 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes before start times. Port Washington Family Skating Center 70 Seaview Boulevard, Port Washington, 516-484-6800. Admission: $7 Skate rental: $4 Public skating sessions are held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday noon-2:30 p.m.; Thursday, noon-1 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 2:15 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Additional sessions will be offered daily from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 22-Jan. 1, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Syosset-Woodbury Community Park 7800 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury, 516-677-5990. Admission: Town of Oyster Bay residents only (proof required); $4 adults, $3 ages 5 to 17. Skate rental: $4 This outdoor rink hosts two-hour public skating sessions Wednesday at 3:30 p.m., Friday at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Saturday at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Concessions are available. Additional holiday hours Dec. 23-Dec. 31, including two sessions on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. The Arena of Long Beach 150 West Bay Drive, Long Beach, 516-431-6500, thearenaoflongbeachny.com Admission: $8 for adults, $6 for kids 12 and under. Skate rental: $4 This large indoor rink hosts one-and-a-half hour skating sessions Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. Additional sessions Monday at 3:30 p.m.; Friday at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 12:15 p.m. The Rink at Reckson Plaza 164 EAB Plaza, Uniondale, 516-683-0303. Admission: $8 adults, $5 kids Skate rental: $4 Public skating from 6-10 p.m. on weeknights, weather permitting. On weekends, sessions start every two hours between noon and 10 p.m. Concessions are available. SUFFOLK COUNTY Dix Hills Ice Skating Arena 575 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills, 631-462-5883. Admission: Town of Huntington residents pay $6.50 for adults and $5 for kids 13 and under; Non-residents pay $10 for adults and $8 for kids. Skate rental: $3.50 This indoor rink offers public skating sessions on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Special holiday sessions on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m.-noon and 12:15-2 p.m.; then two-hour sessions Dec. 26-28 at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Superior Ice Rink 270 Indian Head Road, Kings Park, 631-269-3900, superioricerink.com. Admission: $9 for adults ($10 on Fridays); $7 for children 11 and younger. Skate rental: $4 This indoor rink offers two-hour public skating sessions Tuesday at 10 a.m., Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.; and skating with a DJ Friday at 8:30 p.m. Weekend skates at 1 p.m. Call for special holiday hours. The Rinx 660 Terry Road, Hauppauge, 631-232-3222, therinx.com Skate rental: $5 Admission: $9.50-$11 for adults, $7-$8 for kids 11 and under. Islip residents receive $1 off adult admission with a valid recreation card. Two indoor skating rinks offer public sessions weekdays, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 4-5:45 p.m. Weekend super sessions are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday teen night skating from 8:15 p.m.-10:15 p.m. Special holiday super sessions from noon to 5:45 p.m. Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 1, noon until 5:45 p.m. MANHATTAN Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center Between 47th and 51st streets and 5th and 7th avenues, Manhattan, 212-331-7654, therinkatrockcenter.com Admission: $17.50 for adults and $12.50 for kids under 11 through Jan. 1 Skate rental: $9 The outdoor rink is one of the most popular ice skating spots in all of New York City, complete with a spectacular view of the dazzling Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Public sessions offered daily every two hours between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Special holiday events include "Breakfast with Santa" through Dec. 20 as Rock Center Cafe, 20 W. 50th St, between Fifth and Sixth avenues. For schedules, reservations and admission prices, which include breakfast with St. Nick and a skating session at the Ice Rink, go to breakfastwithsantanyc.com. Wollman Rink Central Park, Manhattan, 212-439-6900, wollmanskatingrink.com Admission: $9.50-$12.50 for adults, $4.75-$5 for kids 12 and under. Skate rental: $5 This outdoor skating rink in scenic Central Park offers skating sessions Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Copyright 2008 Newsday Inc. |