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Council reverses recommendation and directs flooding of all outdoor rinks this season
Summary
After objections from councilors representing the North End, the council amended a parks recommendation to remove two outdoor rinks and voted instead to flood all previously flooded rinks for the season.
The Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department recommended reducing the number of outdoor ice rinks by removing Veterans Park and Eloise because of low usage and staffing constraints. Several councilors—particularly representatives from the North End—objected, saying the rinks serve neighborhood families and youth.
Councilor Kern moved to amend the parks recommendation and direct staff to flood all rinks that had been flooded previously; Councilor Sutherland seconded the amendment. The amendment passed and the main motion as amended to flood all rinks carried by voice vote. Councilors said staff will continue working on a longer‑term recreational plan and that the matter of rink distribution and maintenance will be part of that planning process.
Parks Director Cadotte told council staff has reduced rink‑flooding capacity (crew size down from 16 to seven) and that usage counts and facility proximity were factors in the recommendation; councilors asked for a backup plan and more comprehensive outreach during the department’s upcoming comprehensive recreational plan process.
