Recreation News

Glide Into the New Year: E.C. Outdoor Ice Rinks Open New Year’s Eve

celebrate the new year at outdoor ice rinks, or check out gear-share program with snowshoes, sleds, hockey sticks, and kubb

Rebecca Mennecke |

If you’re looking for a way to spend New Year’s Eve, look no further than Eau Claire’s outdoor skating rinks, which will open to the public after 4pm on Thursday, Dec. 31, according to a media release from Eau Claire Parks, Recreation & Forestry office.

The following ice rinks are open for use, with light timers on daily from 4pm-9pm:

  • Boyd Park (general rink)
  • Demmler Park (general rink)
  • Oakwood Hills (skating and sledding)
  • Pinehurst Park (general and hockey rinks, sledding, snowshoeing)
  • Putnam Heights Park (general and hockey rinks)
  • Roosevelt Park (general and hockey rinks)
  • Sam Davey Park (general rink)

All outdoor warming shelters will be closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Pinehurst Park also offers visitors a chance to try out new winter activities with a gear-share program that began this week. You can nab equipment such as snowshoes, sleds, hockey sticks, and kubb sets on Monday through Friday from 4-7pm, Saturday and Sunday from noon-5pm, and Dec. 30, 31, and Jan. 1 from noon-7pm.

A portable restroom is available on site.

For more information, check out the “Outdoor Rinks and Winter Activities” page in the Recreation section of the City of Eau Claire’s website at www.eauclairewi.gov or contact Eau Claire Parks and Recreation at (715) 839-5032.