Out & About: Dartmouth to open ice rink to the public

Liz Sauchelli. Copyright (c) Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

Liz Sauchelli. Copyright (c) Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Geoff Hansen

By LIZ SAUCHELLI

Valley News Staff Writer

Published: 01-06-2024 4:26 AM

Modified: 01-10-2024 8:14 AM


HANOVER — This winter there will be another outdoor rink for ice skaters to visit in the Upper Valley: the Dartmouth Green.

Dartmouth College is opening the rink to the public. The last time there was a rink on the Green was winter 2021. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the college opened two rinks on the Green, which could only be used by students, faculty and staff.

“The team in Dartmouth’s new Office of Government and Community Relations is looking for ways, big and small, to renew partnerships and dialogue between the campus the community,” Heather Drinan, the college’s director of government relations, wrote in an email. She added that the rink is quite popular among members of the Dartmouth community. “This was an easy way for us to be a good neighbor to people in Hanover and the Upper Valley and provide the public access to that wintertime fun, too.”

Initially, the rink will be open from 9 a.m. until sundown. There are plans in the works to install lights and if that happens, the rink will be open until 9 p.m.

All minors must be accompanied by an adult, and all those who use the rink must abide by a set of rules that will be posted at the site.

“We’re hopeful the rink can open next week, with the weather getting cold enough to freeze over,” Jim Alberghini, director of logistics for Dartmouth’s Conferences and Events Department, wrote in an email.

Other ice skating options

Please be aware of ice conditions to make sure it is safe to skate. Additionally, many of these outdoor rinks are kept in shape by community groups that are always looking for volunteers to help out. Admission is free unless otherwise noted; donations to organizations that keep up the rinks are accepted. Email additions and updates to calendar@vnews.com.

Bradford, Vt.: Ice skating at Elizabeth’s Park, 464 Fairground Road. Hosted by Bradford Parks and Recreation, with support from volunteers. More information: Facebook: “Bradford Parks and Recreation.”

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Chelsea: Ice rink at Heath Recreation Field, Route 110. Hosted by Chelsea Recreation Committee. More information: Facebook “Chelsea Rec Committee.”

Claremont: Arrowhead Recreation Area, 18 Robert Easter Way. General hours, 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; hours subject to change based on staffing and weather. Visit claremontnh.com for more information.

Enfield: Mascoma Lake Skating Association loop, Route 4A/Main Street. Ice skating on plowed loop on Lake Mascoma, as conditions permit. More information: mascomalakeskatingassociation.com.

Lebanon: Pat Walsh Ice Rinks, Bank Street Extension. Open daily 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Text “icerinks” to 38276 to subscribe to ice rink status notifications. Warming hut and skate rentals. More information: lebanonnh.gov/skate.

Newport: Ice Skating on the Common, Main Street. Mondays-Fridays, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hosted by Newport Recreation Department. More information: newportrec.com/.

Plainfield: Akerstrom Arena, Kimball Union Academy, Campus Center Drive. Community skating Sundays, January-March 10, 5 to 6:30 p.m. More information: kua.org/akerstrom-arena.

Randolph: Randolph Ice Rink, 26 Prince St. Mondays-Thursdays, 2:45 to 6 p.m.; Fridays, 2:45 to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, noon to 8 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 6 p.m. Season passes available, visit randolphvt.myrec.com for more information.

Royalton: Community rink, South Royalton Green, Chelsea Street. More information: Facebook: “Royalton Recreation Commission.”

Sunapee: Veterans Field Skating Rink, Route 11. Hosted by the town’s recreation department, with assistance from volunteers. More information: town.sunapee.nh.us/recreation-department/pages/ice-skating-veterans-field.

Vershire: Vershire community rink, 27 Vershire Center Road. Hosted by the Vershire Recreation Committee. More information: vershirevt.org/recreation/.

West Lebanon: James W. Campion Rink, 394 North Main St. Public skating hours: Mondays, noon to 1:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Thursdays, noon to 1:30 p.m.; Fridays, 1:40 to 3:10 p.m. $6-$7; season passes available. Skate rentals, $5. More information: campionrink.org/.

White River Junction: Wendell A. Barwood Arena, 45 Highland Ave. Public skating: Saturdays, 4:15 to 5:45 p.m.; Sundays, 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. $5 per session, children 4 and under free; season passes available. Rentals, $5. More information: hartfordvt.myrec.com.

Woodstock: Union Arena Community Center, 80 Amsden Way. Public skating in January and February: Wednesdays (seniors and parents with toddlers), 2 to 3 p.m.; Wednesdays (all ages), 3 to 4:10 p.m.; Sundays (all ages), 11:10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. $5-$6; children 3 and under free. Rentals, $6. More information: unionarena.org/public-skate-sessions/.

Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.