For those of you who put away thoughts of Holland’s Ice Park along with your ice skates, it's time to shift your thinking. The park has just as much to offer in the summer months, maybe more.
 
The ribbon, the area covered in ice during the winter months, takes on a whole different feel once melted. Rather than snowsuit clad skaters of varying experience gliding across glistening ice, the ribbon has transformed into an outdoor movie theater and an automobile-free roadway for wheeled, non-motorized fun.
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Summer at the Ice Park

First, the movies
Where can you watch a movie at an ice park? Why at the skating “pond,” of course. All you need to do is arrive at dusk with your lawn chair. No charge for the movies but bring your wallet if your think you might want to visit the concession stand. Space will be limited so plan to arrive early. 
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The movies coming at dusk to the pond near you:
August 28: Wall-E
September 11: The Lego Movie
September 25: How to Train Your Dragon: Live Action

*The fire pits will not be lit. So if it’s a chilly night, bundle up!
 
The Ice Park even offers summer classes and a kid’s concert series. Be sure to visit the website.
 
Skate, Blade, & Scoot Thursdays
Also this summer, the Ice Park has been host to Skate, Blade, & Scoot Thursdays. There are two time slots on Thursdays. The earlier one, from 4:30–6 pm is for youth (suggested age 2–8) who are just learning to roller blade, roller skate, or ride a scooter. For those who don’t have their own equipment, a limited number of scooters and balance bikes will be available for a $5 rental fee.
 
According to Andy Kenyon, director of Parks and Recreation, the Ice Park has “one of the flattest concrete surfaces in the entire city,” making it a perfect place to learn.
 
The later time slot, from 6–7:30 pm is for ages 9 to adult. The time on the ribbon is simply for the pleasure of blading, skating, or scooting—no instruction, no traffic, and at no charge.
 
Be sure to catch the two summer Thursdays left for this event, August 6 and 13.

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Velo Kids Open Hours
Fridays has been for Velo Kids—another free event. Think of it as an open house to ask the Velo staff biking questions, get guidance, and even try out a Velo bike—a limited number will be available.
 
There are two Fridays left for this drop-in program, 12–1 pm, August 7 and 14.
 
Kenyon said that people ask what you do with an ice park in the spring and summer, well here it is. The space is activated year-round. “It’s been an awesome summer at the Ice Park,” Kenyon added, “very busy.”

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And Now, Drumroll for the Bike Park…

The PUMP TRACK is about to open. If all goes to plan, hopefully it will be as soon as next week Friday the 14th at 6 am!

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Assistant Director for Parks & Recreation Garrett Thelen said the Bike Park project is “cruising along.” He thinks the pump track will be a huge asset, a lot of people in the biking community are “really, really excited about it.” After seeing the finished track and how challenging it looks, Thelen admitted he’ll be sticking to the beginner side. “I was like, ‘What? Really? Unh-uh.’”
 
The rest of the park still needs some dirt work, some big wood piles addressed, and there is the wetlands area that will need to be avoided. But it will be as close to a nice-looking, finished product as the department can get while still keeping everyone safe. Thelen said with the next phase, which he called the “worst kept secret,” efforts will go from the south side back to address a fairly large choke point. Once that is complete, that phase will be close to done.
 
Thelen described standing on top of the pump track looking towards the marsh and the River Avenue bridge as a really cool perspective, especially when it’s lit up. People will be able to see right into the park from the bridge and will be like, “Oh, what's that? Check it out!”
 
And check it out you should—that and the events of the Ice Park. What a summer!