Heavy snow and difficult travel expected again, heaviest snow in southern Minnesota

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Fans of Minneapolis’ outdoor ice rinks have already had an up and down season.

As temperatures begin to drop into the teens and single digits in the coming days, Minneapolis park officials prepare to open 

Some rinks were available to skaters earlier in the season but closed in days. Typically, the first outdoor rink hours coincide with the start of school winter break. Vacationing youth have not used them yet and may not before 

“We’re hopeful that the forecast is right, and the temps of below zero and freezing in the coming 10 days happen,” said Jeremy Barrick with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. “We’ll be able to get rinks back open in time for another several weeks.”

He says the rinks are a social hub, attracting many people in each community looking for winter fun in the metro. Programming and events are planned throughout the season with ice skates provided by Minneapolis Parks. Locations are also equipped with warming rooms.

Barrick encourages people to stay off ice made soft by warmer temperatures and to check what rinks are closed. He says park officials have seen people playing, walking and even driving on rinks in recent days.

“When you step or you make an imprint on that slush, it creates that rough imprinted surface, which isn't always easy to smooth out when we reflood,” Barrick said.

The hope is that all rinks will be open in early January. As of now, most are closed through at least Jan. 2. If the weather stays in the teens and single digits as forecast, rinks could be open until President’s Day in February.

When open, rinks are typically lit from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Locations with broomball rinks are lit until 10:15 p.m.

Minneapolis parks offer other activities to check out in the meantime, such as walking trails or indoor gyms.  

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Chandra Colvin

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As temperatures begin to drop into the teens and single digits in the coming days, Minneapolis park officials prepare to open outdoor ice rinks — again.

Ben Hovland | MPR News

Black hoses sit next to ice in a city park

Minneapolis ice rinks may return to normal operation as cold weather returns

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