Ice Skating Rink Coming To Palmer Park In Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ — It's official, Plamer Park will be getting a new temporary ice rink this winter, according to Washington Township Mayor Matt Murello.

Earlier this summer, the Washington Township Committee and mayor discussed the possibility of installing an ice rink at Palmer Park due to the increased cost of lining the old Harrington Park rink.

The committee discussed the project at a work session meeting back in July, but the official announcement of the rink was made on Tuesday afternoon by the mayor.

"We are excited to announce this winter's plan to offer ice skating in town…The skating area is all prepped and ready for the cold temps to freeze the surface. So let's all take care of the area, have fun, skate safely and maybe we can make this an annual thing," Murello said.

Plamer Park, which is located on Bartley Road and Palmer Place, in Long Valley, is currently home to three softball fields, one Babe Ruth field, four little league fields, three all purpose fields, along with a walking trail and a community garden.

The new rink has been installed on the infield of one of Palmer Park's baseball fields. Murello clarified that no fields were dug up or damaged in any way to create the rink, which was a source of concern for some residents, and the township intends to keep it that way.

The ice rink still needs more freezing time, so residents are asked to stay away from it until the town says it's safe to use. "If the liner is damaged before the ice is set, we all lose, so just don't," Murello said.

The township will soon be moving the "Skating/No Skating Sign" from Harrington Park to Palmer Park, officials said.

The new rink will only be for general ice skating, with no hockey allowed on the ice. Residents are also being asked to park only in the lower lot and enter the rink through the dugout and fencing.

"Feel free to use the benches around the ice but refrain from walking with skates on in the outfield grass area. The DPW will do their best to clear the surface after snow and plow the lower lot, but the park area is a lower priority so don't call and ask after a storm when it will be done," Murello said.

Once fully frozen, the rink will be open dawn from to dusk for all to enjoy. All attending children must be accompanied by an adult, township officials said.

The temporary rink will be removed once the winter skating season is over so that field preparation can be completed before spring baseball.