You Can’t Skate Across the East River, But You Can Skate On a Pond In Central Park
Ah, the good old days!
photo via Ephemeral New York
Sure, yesterday was pretty warm (I try not to say too much about a 40 degree day, but it was awfully nice), but don’t be fooled: This winter isn’t over yet. In fact, this week is going to be just as cold as last week was, and the week before that! Why? Because it’s winter, you guys, and it’s not over yet.And so in the spirit of embracing this cold weather while it’s still here (because, seriously, don’t tell us you won’t miss things like turtlenecks and hot toddies and fireplaces and the clean smell of cold, crisp air when we’re in the middle of a stinking hot summer), why not go ice skating? And what’s even better than regular old rink-skating? Pond skating! Yes! This is what winter is good for—transforming natural landscapes into something wholly different but just as awesome. And while the East River hasn’t frozen over since the Blizzard of 1888 (and probably never will again what with overall warmer global temperatures and greater activity in the New York waterways), there’s finally a natural* body of water open for ice skating in New York: the pond in Central Park!
That’s right: Gothamist reports that the Central Park Conservancy confirms that the pond in Central Park (near the 5th Avenue entrance at 72nd Street) is open for ice skating. This is the only pond in all five boroughs open to the public for skating, and the public should take advantage of it! Imagine the bliss of skating without the tyranny of shitty music being piped in over loudspeakers? Amazing! Plus, it’s free! The only thing to be aware of is that the ice isn’t groomed (no Zamboni action here) and so you’re pretty much on your own. But isn’t that how you want it? Of course, it is. Go. Skate. Be free. Enjoy the winter while it lasts.
*We use “natural” very loosely here; all these bodies of water are pretty much man-made, but this is as close to “natural” as New York usually gets.
Follow Kristin Iversen on twitter @kmiversen
