Take a Spin at Brooklyn’s Newest Outdoor Roller Rink

Gone are the days of outdoor ice skating – thankfully! – and this spring brings outdoor roller skating in its place. Get ready to roll around Prospect Park’s Lakeside roller rink. Read on to find out why you should lace up a pair of quads here.

Get Ready to Roll

While you might see old school roller skaters taking over parts of Central Park, roller rinks, especially outdoor ones, are not commonplace in NYC. The Lakeside rink, operated by Upsilon Ventures, is outdoors, but the 16,000 square foot space is covered to protect you from summer’s sun and rain, offering the best of both worlds.

Lots of fun activities are on tap for both kids and adults. Kids can sign up for a 5-week roller hockey program, an introduction to the game. Plus, Toddler Tuesdays are coming soon. Tots ages 1 to 6 will have special skating time on Tuesday mornings (with parents) that include fun activities, giveaways, costumed characters and more. If you’re looking for something different to do on date night – try Lakeside After Dark on Friday evenings with music cycling through 1920s foxtrots to totally awesome 80s. And for adventurous moms – join a beginner roller Derby league with Gotham Girls on Wednesday evenings.

If you love roller skating, you’ll be happy to hear that Brooklyn Bridge Park is opening an outdoor roller skating rink later this month too!

What’s Next for Prospect Park’s Lakeside?

You might remember that winter brought us not one, but two ice skating rinks. So what happened to the other one? Starting this Memorial Day, the uncovered rink will be a 41-jet strong water play area for kids to keep cool by day and to light up with fountains by night.

The Nitty Gritty

LeFrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park
171 East Dr., Brooklyn
Near the southeastern side near the Parkside/Ocean Ave. or Lincoln Rd./Ocean Ave. entrances
718-462-0010

Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Fri., 2 p.m.-10 p.m., & Sat., 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Cost: $6/person on weekdays and $8/person on weekends and holidays. $6 skate rentals, $5 helmet rentals. Lockers ($5-12) and bag check services ($5-10) are also available.

Do you and your kids have a favorite spot for roller skating?

–Julie Seguss