It's (Finally) Almost Outdoor Skating Season In Danvers, Peabody

Danvers MA

27 January, 2021

4:58 PM

Description

DANVERS, MA — With the help of some frigid temperatures over the next few days there could be a few new options to spend time outdoors, socially distanced with friends amid the coronavirus health crisis this winter. Both Endicott Park in Danvers and Driscoll Park in Peabody were flooded in recent days with hopes they will soon be ready for skating. The rink at Endicott Park was purchased four years ago and sat patiently through December and most of January until temperatures got cold enough for the Danvers Fire Department to lend a hand with a water fill. "We always set it annually weather-dependent," Danvers Director of Natural Resources Christopher Sanborn told Patch on Wednesday. "The weather hasn't been cooperative until this past week. But now we're hopeful. We worked with our fire department to fit it up for us, which they are always happy to do." Posted by Danvers Fire Department on Monday, January 25, 2021 Sandborn said Tuesday's snow and a warmer day on Wednesday pushed back the opening, but the plan is that the arctic cold expected overnight Thursday and Friday could allow it to open by the weekend. The rink is limited to 25 skaters at any one time and masks must be worn at all times. He said staff will be monitoring the rink to make sure skaters follow the coronavirus-related protocols. "I think 25 skaters is a comfortable number anyway given the size of the rink," he said. "I don't think there will be an issue with it. Everybody has become accustomed to social distancing now." Beyond the skating option, there are other outdoor activities to enjoy safely at Endicott Park — including seeing the animals that venture outside, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, the playground and the dog park. Endicott's year-round residents include a horse, pony, steer, sheep, goat, rabbits, pigs, ducks, geese and chickens. The park is open from dawn until dusk each day. Driscoll Park in Peabody will also open as soon as the ice shores up and is ready for skaters. Visit our website to subscribe:...Posted by Peabody Recreation on Thursday, January 21, 2021 The Peabody Recreation Department asked residents to stay off the surface until it is ready to go and said updates will be provided via its social media outlets. Did you find this article useful? Invite a friend to subscribe to Patch. (Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)