Hempstead Lake State Park opens pond to ice skating, a first in decades
People walk on frozen Hempstead Lake on Sunday. Credit: Jeff Bachner
Ice skaters can safely glide across a natural rink at Hempstead Lake State Park for the first time in at least three decades as an enduring deep chill in the region has left certain waters frost-locked, state officials said Sunday.
People can now fasten their skates and glide across McDonald Pond in the West Hempstead park seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., said George Gorman, state parks regional director. The pond will remain open for skating as long as the ice remains safe.
Skaters can recreate on the ice for free, but they will need to bring their own skates. Still, Gorman warned skaters not to go to any other locations on the ice as it remains dangerous.
Gorman said it’s great to welcome skaters back after a decades-long hiatus, and he hopes the icy conditions persist so even more people can enjoy the activity.
"We're hoping the kids can go out there on the school break and, you know, ice skate," Gorman said in a phone interview. "But on the flip side, we don't really want it to stay this cold that long."
Hockey players skate on frozen McDonald Pond inside Hempstead Lake State Park on Sunday. Credit: Jeff Bachner
According to the National Weather Service, the high temperature on Monday in the region will be in the upper 20s, with wind chill values possibly dipping to -4. Tuesday could see a wintry mix with high temperatures in the 30s, officials said. Temperatures during the rest of the week will top out in the low to mid-30s.
With the cold weather, community members asked about opening an ice rink. To ensure skaters' safety, staff test the ice each day to ensure that it is at least 6 inches thick — a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers standard. The ice at the McDonald Pond was well over 6 inches deep during a recent test, Gorman said.
"We will be checking the ice on a regular basis," as the "safety of our patrons and staff is our priority," Gorman said in a statement.
Staffers will be on-site, and the designated skating areas have been roped and coned, Gorman said. There are also designated tools to help staff reach a person who might fall into the water.
People who want to venture onto the ice should park their vehicles in Field 3 and walk along the path to the pond, officials said.
Officials hope to open another ice skating area at Belmont Lake State Park West Babylon in the coming days.
Gorman called the ability to skate on the ice a great activity "in that we haven't done it in decades."
Tiffany Cusaac-Smith is a general assignment reporter for Newsday. She previously worked at USA TODAY and is an alum of Howard University.
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