43
Valley residents brave the cold for some winter fun
Photo
Tre’ Black entertains his son Case, 2, while his other son plays hockey on the Lily Pond in Mill Creek Park. The pond opened for ice skating Friday and will be open through the end of the month. This is the second year since 1990 that conditions have allowed the park administration to open the pond for skating.
By Jordyn Grzelewski | jgrzelewski@vindy.com
YOUNGSTOWN
Many people might have been dismayed by Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction Monday of six more weeks of winter, but some Mahoning Valley residents didn’t seem to mind the weather this past weekend.
Despite freezing temperatures and icy winds, they braved the cold to enjoy a beloved Valley tradition: outdoor ice skating at Mill Creek Park.
For the second year in a row, the Lily Pond in the park is open for ice skating.
The opportunity doesn’t come around very often, the park administration notes.
“Last year was the first year since 1990 that the lakes and the Lily Pond have frozen to a safe level to allow this opportunity,” said Samantha Villella, park community engagement director.
The park has a long tradition involving ice skating. Many people used to skate on the lakes, Villella said, and the park had an outdoor ice rink at the Wick Recreation Area for many years before it closed in 2002.
When the Lily Pond opened for ice skating last year, some Valley residents recalled past days of outdoor ice skating at the park.
“Some of the people who came out last year didn’t skate ... and they were just reminiscing about the days back when you could skate on our lakes, and those times, and the good times they had with family and friends,” Villella said. “I think it’s nostalgic for a lot of people. ... It’s been a long time since [the lakes] have frozen over.”
The park does not allow skating on the lakes anymore, but Villella said the park administration is happy to give people the chance to use the pond.
To make sure the pond is safe for skaters, the park staff will test the ice each weekend and throughout the week. During supervised skating hours, park police will be there in case anything happens.
Park staff evaluated the ice Monday afternoon and decided it was unsafe for skating. Rain and slush prevented them from clearing the ice, but they said turnout was strong over the weekend, especially on Saturday when temperatures were higher.
Although people were not out on the ice Monday, dozens of people were sledding at a hill right next to the Lily Pond — many of them kids enjoying a snow day out of school.
Nathan Bowser, 13, and Ben Lileas, 13, both Girard students, were at the park to sled with their friends. Ben said he had a good time skating on the Lily Pond last year.
The park will host supervised ice skating every weekend through the end of February, weather permitting, Fridays from 3 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Unsupervised skating is permitted during regular park hours. The park provides a seating area and a fire, but does not offer skate rentals.