The Ice Skating Rink In Michigan Where You Can Skate Surrounded By Holiday Lights
By Jack Springgate|Published December 01, 2023
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Jack Springgate
Author
I'm proud to be from the great state of Michigan. I've lived in the Mitten several different times throughout my life spending time in all corners of it. My journeys took me up and down the Lake Michigan coast, out east to explore Detroit and Ann Arbor, and to the dense forests of the UP.
Before writing with Only In Your State, I worked as a local TV news reporter and anchor, most recently in South Bend. Many of the stories I covered took place in Southwest Michigan. My roots are even deeper in the Wolverine State as I often head to Kalamazoo to visit family.
When I'm not out exploring nature, I'm avidly watching sports. I specifically have a deep love for the Michigan Wolverines (my alma mater), and I get to write about them and several other Big Ten teams as and editor for Athlon Sports. I also love to enjoy the great outdoors with my wife and our dog, Piper.
I'm excited to share all my favorite Michigan destinations with you. Keep exploring.
One of my favorite holiday traditions is doing some outdoor ice skating with friends and family. I’ve found a few great ponds during my time in Michigan that freeze over well in the winter, but not everyone is willing to risk the open water or wait around for it to freeze solid.
This is a treasure in Grand Rapids that’s only open during the winter months. It typically starts operating at the end of November and closes down in early March.
This is a great rink for all ages and abilities thanks to its open circle shape. Along with skate rentals, they also provide ice balance aids for those who need a little extra help.
You might have figured that it was also named after civil rights figure Rosa Parks. She was a longtime Michigan resident and has a statue dedicated to her impact at the entrance.
The statue was dedicated in the early 2010s. It recently experienced a few upgrades to replace concrete steps with granite, renovate the bathrooms, and make other improvements.
There’s no shortage of holiday spirit and lights surrounding the skating area. It’s hard to imagine a more picture perfect place to skate in December.
The person who designed the park did so with an artistic eye. Throughout the year, this park represents the three phases of water: Steam, liquid water, and, in the winter time, ice. Make sure you head to the Rosa Parks Circle Ice Rink Facebook page to make sure the ice is in good enough condition to skate on.