Back in 2018 and 2019, I organized regular meetups at Portland skating ponds for multi-generational hockey games. It was called "Skate Club" and provided a way to spend time outdoors with friends and family of all ages. I always brought extra hockey sticks, and even crafted skating aids out of PVC pipe for beginners. As with all of the programs I created back then, my motivation was to get my own kids outside and to continue building a community of outdoor lovers to spend time with. With the wide selection of ponds in Portland, Skate Club was a no-brainer and my memories of it are nothing but joyful.
Recently, friends invited us to skate at Capisic Pond and I was reminded of how much fun it is to skate with a group. My kids have outgrown their skates, so today, I'll be heading over to Play It Again Sports for new/used hockey skates and hoping the temperatures stay in the mid-20s so we can use them.
If you'd like to gather your crew for skating, here is a list of ponds in Portland. For real-time updates on skating conditions, visit the City of Portland's website here and scroll to the bottom. Or follow their social pages for winter recreation updates:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portlandmeprf/
CAPISIC POND
Details: Portland's largest freshwater pond. 4-acre pond surrounded by an 18-acre nature preserve. At the north end of the pond, there is a skating path that winds through the reeds.
Location: Park on Macy Street off of Capisic Street.
PAYSON PARK RINK
Details: 0.6 acre pond maintained throughout the winter. It's located just down the hill from sledding and the terrain park if you want to make a day of it.
Location: Across from the Payson Park tennis courts on Catafalque Drive. There are several parking spots in front of the rink.
DEERING OAKS POND
Details: Skate under Pandora's holiday lights in this city park maintained by the Recreation and Facilities crew.
Location: Off of State Street in Deering Oaks Park
LUDLOW POND
Details: Built for skating in 1932, this pond is tucked into the Deering Center neighborhoods behind the high school.
Location: At the intersection of Ludlow St and Edgeworth Ave, behind Memorial Stadium.
RIVERSIDE GOLF COURSE
Details: Two large ice skating rinks located on 200 acres that include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat tire biking and hills for sledding.
Location: 1158 Riverside Street. The ice rinks are located on the North Course using the access road by the maintenance building at the end of the parking lot.
If you are looking for skating pond suggestions outside of Portland, here are a few great ones:
Knight's Pond in Cumberland
Florida Lake in Freeport
Great Pond in Cape Elizabeth
Happy skating!
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