With the recent abundance of snow and chilly temperatures in the area it’s time to accept that winter is here and make the most of it. Read on for where you can enjoy winter activities like ice skating and sledding in Greater Toledo.
Ice Skating and Ice Fishing at Olander Park
Olander Park is a 60-acre park found at 6930 Sylvania Ave. When conditions allow for 7 inches of clear blue ice across the lake, ice skating is open to the public. Park admission is free throughout the winter. If you are going there to ice fish, however, Ohio fishing regulations are followed. Therefore anyone over 16 years of age should buy a fishing license through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website. Green flags fly at the lake when Olander Park is open for sakting and fishing, or you can check ice status on their facebook page.
Ottawa Park Ice Skating Rink
Ottawa Park might be known best in winter for its sledding hill, but in addition to the sledding hill it also has an open-air ice rink. Daily open ice skating at the ice rink 2-3 times per day. Admission to the park is $4.00 and children under 3 are free. Skates are available to rent for $2.00. Open ice skate times vary by day. Check out the Ottawa Park Calendar for times. The Ottawa Park Ice rink has a limit of 70 skaters per session and allows for 30 walk ins and 40 online registrations.
Did you know you can even rent the whole rink for a fun party or outdoor activity? Check our event rink rental rates and other options, such as adding concessions, here. Ottawa Park is found at the corner of Bancroft Street and Ottawa Parkway. Park guests can enter by going North on Ottawa Parkway from Bancroft Street and the ice rink facility will be on the right-hand side. Click here for a map and directions to Ottawa Park.
Tam-O-Shanter Indoor Ice Skating Rink
If you don’t mind the cold but want to have your winter fun inside, Tam-O-Shanter ice rink is the place to go. Tam-O-Shanter offers open ice skating, dop in hockey, and ice skating lessons, including figure skating and hockey lessons. Tam-O-Shanter says, “We offer Open (Public) Skating virtually every day of the year. Check out our days and times and pick the one that fits your schedule. Don’t have skates? No problem. We have an inventory of over 200 rental skates sizes ranging from youth 7 through adult 14 sizes.” Check out Tam-O-Shanter’s website for rink availability, programs, rentals, and more.
Sledding Hill Destinations
The Greater Toledo sledding hill destinations listed below are courtesy of WTOL “Best sledding hills in the 419“.
Sledding at Side Cut 1025 W. River Road
The Wagener Sledding Hill is located at the Silver Lake area at Side Cut in Maumee. It’s lit, so you can sled safely after dark!
Sledding at Pearson 4600 Starr Avenue
The sledding hill is next to Parking Lot 1, just across from the lake, where you can skate under lights when the ice is safe. Additional lighting allows sledding after dark!
Sledding at Blue Creek 7215 Providence Street, Whitehouse
Open 7 a.m. until dark. The former Nona France Quarry on State Route 64 (Waterville Street) and Providence Street has one of the area’s tallest sledding hills.
Nona France Recreational Area, Whitehouse 7035 Providence Street
This man-made sledding hill is 60-feeet above ground. It is unlit so sledding during daylight hours is necessary. Enter from the park from Providence Street.
Fort Miamis Park, Maumee 600 Michigan Avenue
This history sledding hill overlooks the Maumee River and is the site of the former British Fort Miamis. This is a great sledding location for young kids. The city of Maumee allows sledding here but ask that folks don’t use the hills with steel rails. Sled until dark.
Harroun Park, Sylvania 5500 Main Street
Known to locals as “Suicide Hill” … this hill is located near the parking lot of Harroun Park. The ride down is thrilling. The walk up the hill will have you out of breath. This one is best for the big kids. Sled until dark.
Northview High School, Sylvania 5403 Silica Drive
Watch out… this hill right next to the high school has some surprise bumps and man-made moguls. It’s best to sled in daylight hours. This hill is known to cause some wipe-outs, so adults should supervise younger kids.
Where to Buy Ice Skating and Sledding Gear
Before you head out to explore Toledo’s sledding hill and ice skating spots, make sure you have the proper winter gear. Stores such as Target, Cost Co, Walmart, Meijer, and Kroger are likely to have some sledding hill sleds, and winter gear basics. Dicks Sporting Goods is another great shop. If you’re looking for a locally owned company, Mountain Man Sports and Wersell’s Bike and Ski Shop in Toledo are both good options. Tam-O-Shanter also has an onsite Pro Shop with a large inventory of skates, sticks, and protective hockey equipment.
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