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Bigger, better RiverScape ice rink open; special hours Dec. 20-Jan. 2

The skating surface, now under a covered pavilion, is almost 50 percent bigger.

Photos: RiverScape's new ice rink opens

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By Terry Morris, Staff Writer Updated 8:25 PM Saturday, November 27, 2010

DAYTON — The first person on the ice when the new and improved RiverScape rink opened for the season Friday was 9-year-old Elizabeth Morgan, a fourth-grader from Woodstock, Ga.

Her cousin, Lauren Penrod of Dayton, was right behind her.

But nobody was more eager to try out the bigger facility than Josie Reno of Xenia.

“I can’t wait to get out there. I’ve wanted to skate here since they first announced they were going to do this,” she said of the covered pavilion, where music concerts were held during warmer weather.

Operated by Five Rivers MetroParks, the facility is the third and final phase of RiverScape. The rink is almost 50 percent bigger than the previous one, which was open to the sky and the rain, sleet and snow.

RiverScape Rental Supervisor James Carter of Dayton was actually the first person on the ice when he skated out to test it a half hour before the 11 a.m. opening. It was unmarked and smooth as glass until then.

“It’s super. I’m really excited for the season this year. This is going to be a community highlight for the entire county,” he said.

Elizabeth and Lauren were spending the Thanksgiving holiday with their aunt, Sarah Brook of Dayton, who was hosting an extended family including members from England, Oregon and Georgia.

Sarah’s sister, Jo Morgan, of Suffolk, England, said the family took the girls rock-climbing on Thanksgiving at the Urban Krag in the Oregon District. “There are a lot of nice things for kids to do here,” she said of the city.

How to Go

What: RiverScape Ice Rink

Where: 229 E. Monument Ave., Dayton

When: Daily through March 13. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Special hours during the Dec. 20-Jan. 2 winter break. Broomball league games will be played there from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays. The rink can also be rented for parties.

Cost: Free admission, $3 for skate rental, Monday through Thursday; $5 admission, which includes skate rental, Friday through Sunday

More info: (937) 278-2607 or metroparks.org/IceRink

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