Van Cortlandt Park

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink Debuts

Photo by Daniel Avila

On Monday, November 19, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Veronica White joined Congressman Eliot Engel, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Council Member Oliver Koppell, Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz, rink concessionaire Ice Rink Events, Bryant Park Corporation President Dan Biederman, and members of the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, Friends of Van Cortlandt Park and Bronx Community Boards 7 and 8 to cut the ribbon for the inaugural season of the new Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink. Attendees were treated to performances by skaters from the Ice Theatre of New York both before and after the speaking program.

“Ice skating is one of the quintessential joys of winter, and we are delighted to open this rink in Van Cortlandt Park and bring ice skating back to the Bronx,” said Commissioner White. “Skating is fun and great exercise. I'd like to thank Ice Rink Events, the Bryant Park Corporation and most importantly the Bronx community for their support, which will allow us to bring skating to the Bronx each fall and winter for years to come.”

“Ice Rink Events is proud to complete the installation of the new Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink,” said Ice Rink Events President Michael Clayton. “We have been working on this project for over four years, and it is gratifying to see the plans come to life. Van Cortlandt Park is a landmark urban park, and our hope is that Bronx residents will embrace this wonderful new civic asset.”

This rink was made possible thanks to a license agreement between the City of New York and concessionaire Ice Rink Events, which also operates Queens’ World Ice Arena and City Ice Pavilion. The Bryant Park Corporation donated $120,000 to upgrade the nearby electrical infrastructure to allow operation of the rink’s ice chillers.

This seasonal rink will be open from noon to late evening. The rink is easily accessible via public transportation – located near the #1 train, the Riverdale Metro North Station and several bus lines. Skating lessons, as well as skate and locker rentals will be available. For more information about the Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink visit nyc.gov/parks, and search for keyword: ice skating.

Van Cortlandt Park contains more than a thousand acres atop the ridges and valleys of the northwest Bronx and is New York City's fourth largest park. Playing fields and playgrounds are scattered about the park's edges, surrounding a richly forested heartland fed by Tibbets Brook. The park is home to the country's first public golf course, the Bronx’s oldest house, its largest freshwater lake, and now its own public ice skating rink.