Ice skating rinks in green bay

Hit the Ice: Sledding and Hockey in De Pere

The City of De Pere offers outdoor ice rinks during the winter months. These outdoor ice rinks provide options for both hockey and skating. Please keep in mind that the opening and closing dates of these ice rinks, and their ongoing availability in between, is influenced greatly by variable weather conditions. If you have any questions or would like to know if the ice rinks are available for use, please reach out to De Pere Parks, Recreation & Forestry at (920) 339-4065. The City of De Pere also has an indoor ice rink, which offers a variety of programming, leagues and options for skating and hockey. Learn more below: 

Ice rink location map:

Where to Ice Skate in Northeast Wisconsin (& tips)

• By Guest Writer
• December 6, 2021
• Winter

Gliding effortlessly across the glimmering frozen water. A cool breeze in your face on a crisp winter day. Feeling exhilarated as you gently spin or push forward in a burst of speed. For many people in the Fox Valley, ice skating is an enjoyable winter activity that provides hours of outdoor fun and exercise.

With a few tips about selecting your gear, where to find ice rinks, and how to get started ice skating, anyone can have a great time participating in this entertaining Wisconsin winter pastime.

Dress for the Weather

1. Dress in layers. Layers help increase enjoyment. Too warm? Take something off. Too cold? Put it back on.
2. Selecting a good pair of socks is really important. Find a pair that will keep your feet nice and warm, but not so bulky that it makes putting on your ice skates especially difficult. If your ice skates get too tight they can cut off the circulation to your toes, making your feet cold and uncomfortable.
3. Don’t forget spare hats, mittens, and scarves. If one of these gets damp, it is nice to be able to quickly replace them.
4. Bringing a warm beverage like hot apple cider or tea in a thermos can help hydrate and warm you.

Tips for Choosing Ice Skates

Figure skates or hockey skates? Although the way you skate is slightly different between figure skates and hockey skates, both skates are fairly similar to use. Both come in double blade style which can be helpful for kids for their first tries. Which type you choose really just depends on what type of skating you want to do and what type of skate you think you will be more comfortable wearing. Either way, make sure to lace them up tight to help support your ankles. Sometimes, it helps if someone else can help tie them for you. Some skating spots will have skates on hand to rent, check details before heading out!

Figure Skates

• Figure skates get their name because they are often used in figure skating like what you might see in the Olympics.
• Have a toe pick (row of tiny spikes) on the front that helps with spinning and jumping.
• Back comes to a dull point.

Hockey Skates

• Mostly used for playing hockey
• No toe pick
• Smooth and rounded on the front and back

Local Spots to Buy Skates

• Scheels, 4301 W Wisconsin Ave, Appleton
• Play it Again Sports, 611 W Northland Ave, Appleton

Where to Ice Skating Indoors

• Appleton Family Ice Center, 1717 E. Witzke Boulevard, Appleton
• Tri-County Ice Arena, 700 E. Shady Lane, Neenah
• DePere Ice Arena, 1450 Ft.Howard Dr, DePere
• Cornerstone Community Center, 1640 Fernando Dr, DePere
• Oshkosh YMCA, 3303 West 20th Ave, Oshkosh

Where to Ice Skate Outdoors

Outdoor rinks are weather-dependent. Some will be open prior to others and warm days impact the rinks’ ability to stay open. Before you head out, check with the parks and rec Facebook page for the city that you’re going to skate in, they usually have an update for ice conditions when there are any changes.

Appleton

• Memorial Park, 1717 E Witzke Blvd, Appleton
• Colony Oaks Park, 801 N Briarcliff Dr, Appleton
• Erb Park, 1800 N Morrison St, Appleton
  Both hockey and skating rinks with a warming and concession area.
• Highview Park, 100 W Wayfarer Ln, Appleton
• Pierce Park, 1035 W Prospect Ave, Appleton
  Both hockey and skating rinks. The skating rink in the pavilion is generally one of the first to open in the city.
• Jones Park, 301 W Lawrence St, Appleton
  Both hockey and skating rinks with a warming and concession area.

Find Appleton Parks & Rec Online:
Website
Facebook

Greenville

• Jennerjohn Park, W6750 Rickey Ln, Greenville

Find Greenville Parks & Rec Online:
Website
Facebook

Fox Crossing

• Fristch Park, 1651 Sandys Ln, Menasha

Find Fox Crossing Parks & Rec Online:
Website
Facebook

Neenah

• Washington Park, 631 W Winneconne Ave, Neenah
• Green Park, 337 Columbian Ave, Neenah
• Memorial Park, 1175 Appleblossom Dr, Neenah
• The Plaza at Gateway Park, 229 W Wisconsin Ave, Neenah

Find Neenah Parks & Rec Online:
Website
Facebook

Menasha

• Hart Park, 700 7th St, Menasha

Find Menasha Parks & Rec Online:
Website
Facebook

De Pere

• VFW Park, 730 Grant Street, De Pere
  • Multi-use rink, hockey & ice rink
  • Lighted
• Legion Park, 1212 Charles St, De Pere
  • Separate rinks for ice skating and hockey
  • Lighted

Find De Pere Parks & Rec Online:
Website
Facebook

Green Bay

• Titletown District, 1065 Lombardi Ave. Green Bay
• Colburn Park, 1025 S Fisk St, Green Bay
  • Hockey & ice rink with an attendant, warming shelter and lights
• Perkins Park, 600 N Fisk St, Green Bay
  • Hockey & ice rink with an attendant, warming shelter and lights
  • Skate rentals: $3.00 per person
  • Skate sharpening: $5.00 child skates and $8.00 adult skates
• Red Smith Park, 2765 Sussex Rd, Green Bay
  • Hockey & ice rink with an attendant, warming shelter and lights
• Astor Park, 100 Porlier St, Green Bay
• Atkinson Park, 624 Ethel Street, Green Bay
• Beaver Dam Park, 1331 Hobart Drive Green Bay
  • Hockey & ice rink
• Edison Park, 442 Alpine Drive, Green Bay
  • Hockey & ice rink
• Navarino Park, 228 S Jackson St, Green Bay
• McAuliffe Park, 3100 Sitka St, Green Bay

Find De Pere Parks & Rec Online:
Website
Facebook

Howard

• Pinewood Park, 1013 Harwood Avenue, Howard

Oshkosh

• Menominee Park, 520 Pratt Trail, Oshkosh

Find Oshkosh Parks & Rec Online:
Website
Facebook

Omro

• Horan’s On Main, Community Ice Rink, Main St, Omro
  (free skates to use, warming shelter)

Also, if you are fortunate enough to know someone who lives on a larger body of water such as Lake Winnebago, you may be able to skate there if the ice is thick enough. Make sure to ask someone who knows if it is safe before going out on frozen lakes and ponds. Find ice safety information on the Wisconsin DNR website.

Hit the Ice

Now that you are bundled up and have found an ice rink, let’s talk about how to ice skate.

• Start slow.
• Hold on to something if you can! Some spots have trainers or just touch a wall.
• Bend your knees slightly as though you’re hovering over a public toilet seat.
• Use your arms for balance.
• Push feet out and slightly back, keeping your weight centered.
• Forward movement will feel more steady than stillness.
• Going to fall? Forward or to the side can hurt less than backward. Falling into snow is the least hurtful option when available!
• Helmets on for safety!

Once you really get the hang of it, you can try more difficult things like spinning, sharp turns, backward skating, or just going fast. If you have a group of friends, you can play games like tag or ice hockey. Just remember to be safe and courteous to everyone else using the ice rink. Most importantly, have fun! Outdoor ice skating is only possible for a few months every year, so make the most of it and enjoy this thrilling activity.

Thanks to our guest writer, Steve Freund.

Guest Writer

Have a story idea you'd like to submit? Are you interested in becoming a guest writer for Go Valley Kids? Send us an email at !

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