Later skater! If staying indoors all winter seems a little too chill, Menomonie, Eau Claire, and Chippewa Falls will have outdoor rinks open to the public. Though use of the rinks is free, you gotta bring your own skates – and don’t forget to practice social distancing!

EAU CLAIRE

According to the Eau Claire Parks, Recreation, and Forestry office, there will be seven rinks open to the public beginning on Dec. 31, as long as the weather allows. The rinks will be located at Boyd, Demmler, Oakwood Hills, Pinehurst, Putnam Heights, Roosevelt, and Sam Davey parks in Eau Claire. The community may use these rinks during park hours, and lights will be set to timers. Supervision will be provided at the Pinehurst location during limited hours throughout the week. Skaters will be asked to wear masks and practice social distancing, and the shelters will not be open to the public. Learn more about Eau Claire’s outdoor rinks online here.

CHIPPEWA FALLS

For the second year in a row, there will be a rink at Riverfront Park in Chippewa Falls, says Dick Hebert, director of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry in Chippewa Falls. The rink is small, but big enough for the community to use at a distance, and there is a bathroom at the park. The community is asked to follow county guidelines in regard to COVID, which can be found at covid19-chipcogis.hub.arcgis.com.

MENOMONIE

There are at least four outdoor rinks set to be open to the public in Menomonie this season. According to the Menomonie Recreation Department, there will be rinks located at Park Circle, the Menomonie Fire Department (on Wilson Street), and at the Dunn County Recreation Park. There are no warming houses or lights at these locations. The fourth rink, Christmas Miracle Wonderland, is set to open for its debut season near Kado & Associates Inc.