McCarren Ice Rink Opens for Inaugural Season

NYC Parks First Deputy Commissioner Liam Kavanagh today joined Executive Director of the Open Space Alliance/North Brooklyn Parks Administrator Ed Janoff, Assembly Member Joseph Lentol, Senator Daniel Squadron, Council Member Steve Levin and NY1's Pat Kiernan to open the McCarren Ice Rink, the only public ice rink in North Brooklyn, for its inaugural season. The rink, which officially opened to the public at 11:00 a.m. will be a major holiday destination in North Brooklyn, offering skating classes, clinics and demonstrations, in addition to providing a pro shop, skate rentals and skate sharpening.

"The McCarren rink is a wonderful addition to the North Brooklyn community, realizing the vision for winter-time programming that was designed as part of the pool renovation," said Parks Commissioner Veronica M. White. "Along with the rink and the pool, McCarren's Recreation Center, tennis courts, skate park and various other amenities make it a year-round hub for active recreation."

"We're glad to expand upon the fun activities offered in McCarren park by opening up the brand new ice rink," said First Deputy Commissioner Liam Kavanagh. "This winter, we hope you will all drop by to lace up your skates, spend a day outdoors with family and friends, and enjoy a bite to eat at Hanson Bros., a collaboration of some of Greenpoint's most popular eateries."

"Open Space Alliance for North Brooklyn is thrilled to be launching McCarren Rink, which is sure to be a premier winter destination and new holiday tradition for New Yorkers and visitors alike," said Ed Janoff, Administrator of North Brooklyn Parks and Executive Director of OSA. "The amenities we've developed to accompany the rink, including a food vendor and outdoor programming are designed to offer a wide range of recreation and family fun during the rink season."

McCarren rink is installed on top of the "beach" area of the pool deck measures 60 feet wide by 120 feet long, offering a total of 7,200 square feet of natural ice skating surface that can accommodate 300+ people. The rink will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, from mid-November through January. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and $4 for children, with group discounts and party packages available. Skate rentals will be available for $5.

The rink will also host Hanson Bros., the collaboration between Tyler Kord of No. 7 Sub and Josh Cohen of Anella and Jimmy's Diner providing an innovative take on food concessions.

Located within the 35-acre McCarren Park, McCarren Pool was one of 11 pools opened by Robert Moses in 1936. It closed in 1984 and sat unused until the summer of 2005, when the empty pool basin opened as a venue for concerts, dance, and movies. In June 2012, the pool was reopened after a $50 million renovation funded by Mayor Bloomberg as a part of PlaNYC. The rehabilitation of McCarren Pool preserved the historic bathhouse building and entry arch and created a brand new swimming pool and recreation center. The pool was also designed to accommodate an ice skating rink in the winter.