Ice Skating is Finally Coming Back to Prospect Park
Disappointed ice skaters of Brooklyn: rejoice! Those two rinks that were slated to open last winter are finally opening this winter. Both Prospect Park’s Lakeside Project and McCarren Park’s pool have been delayed because of missed deadlines and financial restructuring, but come mid-December, North and Central Brooklynites will finally get to avoid Lincoln Center and Coney Island for some sentimental holiday fun, and spilled hot chocolate.
Both the McCarren and Prospect Parks projects are doing more than just bringing winter ice skating. The Lakeside Project is renovating 26 acres of dilapidated space, replacing Wollman rink with two rinks that will be usable year-round. Their website notes that there’s roller skating and “water play” in store for Lakeside, and McCarren is planning to turn their rink into a sunken “beach” in the warmer months. And live music is coming back to the pool. I’m dying to see Wilco play poolside again.
I’m terrible at both ice and roller skating, but I’m excited for these projects nonetheless. They’re giving me more reason to not leave Brooklyn because that other island has stuff that Brooklyn doesn’t. And, to boot, the renovations signal that municipalities are making real moves to ensure that all of Brooklyn’s denizens are mingling and grooving and enjoying Brooklyn life. Just, please, no ice skating disco.
