Ice rink at Benzinger Park opens for the season

It took a while for the cold winter weather to finally arrive, but the ice skating rink at Benzinger Park was finally able to open for the first time this season over the weekend. The rink was open from 1-6 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. The rink has been in place and filled since early November 2021, but it took until recently for the weather to cooperate enough to allow it to be put to use. “Unfortunately, this is the first time we’ve been able to open,” said City of St. Marys Parks and Recreation Director Danielle Schneider. “The weather hasn’t shown us what winter really looks like until just recently. As always, the opening of our rink is dependent on weather and the amount of workers I can gather for the weekend. Turnout for the first opening weekend has decreased since last year. I think the main factor has to deal with the bitter cold and the snowstorm between Sunday and Monday. Ice skating seems like a great idea when it’s cold, but it can also deter people who don’t like to go outside in single digits.”

According to Schneider, roughly 40 people spent time skating at the rink while it was open over the weekend.

Last year, the rink was located on the park’s basketball courts. This year, it was moved to the parking lot area directly behind the park office. No parking is permitted in that lower lot due to the rink.

Schneider remarked that the rink’s new lo

cation is much more ideal.

“The rink is much more secure now that it’s on the pavement,” Schneider said. “It’s close enough to the building so that our maintenance crew can easily access it. It also provides much more stability for those using it. However, for the following year we will be looking to build a ramp to make it easier for patrons to enter and exit.”

The rink’s close proximity to the park office will also allow users easier access to the concession stand and indoor fire pit. Neither were offered this past weekend, but in the future both will be available.

“Moving forward, we will have the indoor fire pit going and a concession stand available for purchases courtesy of the St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce,” Schneider said. “We also plan to host a Storytime and Arts and Crafts program on a regular basis beginning in February. More details will follow at a later date.”

Now that winter weather has finally arrived, community members can expect the rink to be open more often. However, Schneider stressed that they cannot guarantee ice skating will be available every weekend.

“It is completely weather dependent,” Schneider said.

“The easiest and fastest way to check on the rink status is through our Facebook page: City of St. Marys Parks and Recreation,” Schneider added. “I pin the latest update to the top of our posts to make it easily visible to the public.”

Ice skates are available to rent for a small fee, and Schneider noted that donations of ice skates are also being accepted. Ice skates can be dropped off at City Hall Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“We appreciate the community’s support and involvement as we continue to develop our department more,” Schneider said.

In addition to the rink at Benzinger Park, there is also a “skate at your own risk” rink available at Kaulmont Park.

“I have lights turned on for the pond between 5-11 p.m.,” Schneider said. “There is no staff at the Kaulmont rink.”

For updates on ice skating and other programs, visit the City of St. Marys Parks and Recreation Facebook page.