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Village of Briarcliff Manor officials officially opened the new skating rink on the tennis courts at Law Memorial Park. In previous years, village officials designated the Law Memorial Park pond for ice skating but added the man-made rink this year as a safety precaution.
Briarcliff Manor Police Chief Norman Campion said Friday that the department was called to private ponds at the former King’s College and Trump National Golf Club to remove about a dozen teens skating there.
“We were called by local security,” Campion said, adding that the ice was dangerous to skate on. “It’s been cold for a few days but the ice isn’t thick enough to skate on and be totally safe. That’s really what the golf club and the village was going by. If we’re called to a location or we see something dangerous we will intervene.”
Briarcliff Village Manager Philip Zegarelli said the new rink was built to keep residents away from the dangers of skating on deep bodies of water.
“Common sense has got to prevail. The ice out there is still very thin,” Zegarelli said. “You’ve got to have at least five inches of ice for it to even be safe. But the water under these ponds has not frozen and it can be very dangerous.”
Several Briarcliff Manor teenagers said on Friday that they were happy to have an ice rink in the village.
“It’s a great idea and we come here and play hockey after school,” said 13-year-old Jack Zimmerman.
Joey Raphael, 13, agreed, saying he had not skated on the ponds.
“The hockey here is great," he said. “It’s good because we get something to do after school and kids won’t be bored."
Resident and non-resident badges are required to skate on the outdoor ice rink. Seasonal badges are $5 for village residents and $10 for all others and guests. Village officials ask that residents call the Recreation Department to find out if the rink is open at 941-6560.
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