Fun Places to Skate

By: Toronto4Kids

There's no better way to experience winter than skating in the fresh air on a smooth outdoor ice skating rink. There are many wonderful paces to go skating in the Greater Toronto Area, So grab your skates and check out one of these great outdoor places to skate.

Bronte Creek's Outdoor Skating Rink, Oakville
1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville
Phone: 905-827-6911
Website: www.brontecreek.org
Enjoy skating to music on the lit, Olympic size outdoor rink. The rink is available for recreational skating (season and weather permitting). Once the rink opens, the Park Store will be serving up hot food and drinks. The Park Store offers skate rentals in an assortment of sizes for both children and adults. Please call ahead to check conditions. There is no additional fee for use of the skating rink or Playbarn after obtaining a daily vehicle permit. Check for Daily Vehicle Permits. The ice rink is located in the park's DAY-USE area accessible off Burloak Drive just north of the QEW.

Cedarena - Markham
7373 Reesor Rd
Markham, ON L6B 1A8
Phone: 905-294-0038 (Seasonal)
A great outdoor skating rink is Cedarena in Cedargrove (Markham) Reesor Rd. just north of Steeles. This is a 75 year old outdoor rink in the Rouge Valley Surrounded by trees. There is also an old clubhouse where you change your skates where they serve hot chocolate and hot apple cider (locally made). Outdoor skating - weather permitting. Charge for admission. Phone line open from early December to end of March.

Dufferin Grove Park Rink - Toronto
Website: www.dufferinpark.ca  
Dufferin Grove Park  is public neighbourhood park located in Toronto Canada, just south of Bloor, on the east side of Dufferin.  There is a wonderful and family friendly facility at dufferin grove park rink. They have skate rentals for $2, fresh local foods and a community dinner on friday nights, 2 rink pads so pleasure skating is always possible from 9am to 9pm all week (check website for schedule). They are close to parking, the subway, the dufferin mall and they have a little indoor clubhouse with a wood stove to warm yourself with hot chocolate after skating.

Gage Park - Brampton
Main St. S. & Wellington St.W., Brampton
Phone: 905-874-2300
Website: www.city.brampton.on.ca
In the winter, a temperature-controlled skating trail attracts families and skating enthusiasts from Brampton and beyond to experience skating through the trees of this majestic park.

Mel Lastman Square Skating, North York
5100 Yonge Street, North York, ON
Phone: 416-395-7584
Mel Lastman Square Rink is an outdoor rink that is open seasonally. Offers adult and youth pickup ice hockey though the main attractions is Public Skating Sessions.

Mill Pond or Lake Wilcox - Richmond Hill
1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill, ON L4S 1M5
Phone: 905-884-8013
Website: http://www.richmondhill.ca
Outdoor Skating - The Town's natural spaces offer residents many recreational opportunities year-round. Enjoy the crisp winter air while skating on the natural ice of the Mill Pond or Lake Wilcox. But be sure the check that the ice is safe before you venture out for a leisurely skate or game of pond hockey. Signage is posted at both locations.

Nathan Phillips Square - Toronto
100 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON
Rink Hotline: 416-338-7465 (RINK)
Skate under the lights at Nathan Phillips Square's famous outdoor ice rink. Weather permitting, the rink is usually open daily from 10 am to 10 pm by mid-November, until February. Skate rentals and indoor change rooms are available to visitors. The three solid arches that stretch over the ice rink are officially named the "Freedom Arches" to signify the belief that "only in freedom can the Human Spirit soar". Skating is Free except skate rentals. Nathan Phillips Square is easily accessed by the TTC Queen street car (501), or the Yonge Line subway (exit Queen station) or the University line (exit Osgoode Station).

Natrel Rink, Harbourfront - Toronto
South of York Quay Centre
235 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Rink Info: 416 973-4866
Website: www.harbourfrontcentre.com
Toronto's favourite outdoor rink is lacing up for another great season. The Natrel Rink will open in November. (weather permitting). Beautifully situated on Toronto's harbour. Open 7 days a week - Check website for schedule. Free admission. Skate rentals & sharpening available. Music while you skate. Indoor change room. Easy access by TTC & plenty of parking.

Richmond Green Skate Trail - Richond Hill
1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill, ON L4S 1M5
Phone: 905-884-8013
Website: www.richmondhill.ca  
Richmond Green, located at Elgin Mills Road East and Leslie Street, provides a wide range of activities covering all four season's of the year. Did you know there is an outdoor Skate Trail on the west side of the park, behind the Tom Graham Arena? Lace up your skates (ice in winter and in-line in the summer) and set out for an enjoyable glide through the 250 metre looped trail's natural setting! The trees surrounding the trail are native to the area and many were transplanted from other areas of the park during the park's redesign. With the twinkling lights in the trees and music in the air, this is an outdoor winter tradition you'll want to experience! Call first to confirm schedule. Lights for evening skating, Heated washroom and changeroom, Ample parking.

Toogood Pond, Unionville
On Carlton at Kennedy, North of the Varley Art Gallery, Unionville
Phone: 905-415-7535
Outdoor (natural ice). Please observe the flag system. Skate at your own risk. For more information on outdoor skating, click here. How to get there: Located on Carlton Road, west of Main Street Unionville.

Looking for other Outdoor Arenas in the Toronto area. Click here for a complete listing.

© Toronto4Kids - November 2007. This article may not be reproduced in part or in its entirety without the expressed written permission from Toronto4Kids.