PENFIELD – Officials at the Parker Dam State Park have announced that on Friday from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., there will be open ice skating under the lights at the park’s ice skating rink, located at the beach. There will also be an open ice skating session on Saturday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Visitors can bring along their ice skates and come enjoy a winter tradition on the frozen lake. The lights will be on, music will be playing and the fire will be crackling for the comfort and enjoyment of visitors.
The park has many skates of various sizes, which will be available for rental (only during scheduled skating sessions) from the Friends of Parker Dam organization at $2 per pair for the entire 3 hours (may not be able to accommodate all visitors- first come, first served).
Some skating instruction may also be available, based on staff availability. Also, the Friends of Parker Dam will be selling hot dogs, chili and hot chocolate at the Beach House.
Normally the day-use area of the park, including the ice skating rink, closes at dusk. So take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy the park in the evening.
If there is significant snow falling at or during the time of a scheduled skating session, the skating session and the ice rink may not be available and the session may be cancelled.
If the winter weather holds and the conditions for maintaining the ice skating rink at the park are appropriate, ice skating sessions in cooperation with the Friends of Parker Dam will continue to be scheduled until ice conditions degrade.
Tentatively these sessions will be Friday evenings from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Saturday afternoons from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. There will not be sessions on Jan. 23-24 due to the Clearfield YMCA’s WinterFest (Jan. 24-25).
Skates will be available for rental, however, during the YMCA’s WinterFest hours. Sessions may be added or removed based on ice conditions and other factors.
Please watch the Parker Dam State Park Facebook page for updates and changes. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may call the Park Office at 814-765-0630.
Special Note on Sledding and Ice Skating at Parker Dam: When conditions allow, a sled riding area and the ice skating rink are maintained at the park for use during normal daily park hours – 8 a.m. until dusk.
Check the “Parker Dam State Park” Facebook page or the “Winter Report” at www.visitPAparks.com to learn of snow and ice conditions and the availability of facilities.