CENTRAL PARK, Manhattan (PIX11) – It’s a New York City winter tradition.
Wollman Ice Rink is located in the heart of Central Park and is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
In honor of Wollman Rink’s 75th birthday anniversary year, the first 75 skaters got to skate for free all day, skipping the $27 entrance fee.
Also, to celebrate the public rink that opened in 1950, there were two ice performances by professional skaters from the Ice Theater of New York.
“It’s iconic. It’s one of the most beautiful places I have ever skated in; the backdrop of the city, the trees, the openness, you can’t go wrong,” Valerie Levine, a professional skater, told PIX11 News.
Wollman Rink opened in 1950, thanks to a $600,000 grant from Katie Wollman. The Wollman family wanted to make ice skating accessible to everyone in Central Park.
“The families that we have talked to have so many memories here,” Stacy Shuster, the Vice President of Business Development and Community Impact for Wollman, told PIX11 News. “The grandparents that came here and now their grandchildren are coming here. It’s really an iconic New York moment,” she added.
More than 5,000 skaters joined in day one of this year-long celebration.
They were handing out free cups of hot chocolate, and the skaters were of all ages and all skill sets.
So why do they love ice skating at Wollman so much?
“I have fallen five times already, but it is still fun,” Owen Anderson, a visitor from the UK, told PIX11 News.
13-year-old Gus Garbuio practices his spins and twirls three times a week.
And Ahmani Marrero was very pleased to show PIX11 News how she skates backward.
The Wollman Rink opened to the public on December 18th, 1950, so there are 11 months of festivities before its actual birthday.
English (US) ·