Community groups must meet the following requirements to participate:
- Minimum of four volunteers
- Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older
- One member must act as the primary contact
- A second member must be listed as an alternate contact.
Outdoor Rinks
Community groups can create and maintain natural ice rinks in selected Belleville parks through the Parkland Natural Ice Rink Program.
These rinks are volunteer-run outdoor skating areas supported by the City’s Parks and Open Spaces team. They are open to the public for pleasure skating and are used at your own risk.
Program Overview
Natural ice rinks are organized and maintained by community volunteers. Key program conditions:
- Applications are approved annually on a first-come basis
- The program is operated by volunteers
- Volunteers are responsible for materials, installation and maintenance
- Rinks are open for public pleasure skating.
Before building a rink:
- Submit an Natural Ice Rink Program application.
- Obtain approval for the rink location and size.
- Request underground utility locates through Ontario One Call before installing any materials in the ground.
Rink size and layout depend on available park space and may vary by location.
When selecting a location:
- Parks staff must approve the rink dimensions and placement
- Rinks should be located near existing park lighting where available
- Volunteers may not complete additional site work or construction in parks.
Volunteer groups are responsible for maintaining the rink during the season.
Typical maintenance tasks include:
- Flooding the ice surface several times per week
- Clearing snow and ice buildup
- Repairing hazards such as cracks or uneven ice
- Monitoring rink conditions.
City staff conduct visual inspections every two weeks to ensure rinks are maintained safely.
Volunteer groups must:
- Complete a daily ice inspection log
- Submit inspection records to the City weekly
- Indicate whether the rink is open or closed.
Safety Guidelines
For safe operation of community rinks:
- Wear a helmet when skating
- Wear non-slip footwear when working on the ice
- Flood the rink with at least two people present
- Carry a cell phone in case of emergency
- Alcohol use is not permitted.
Supervision is recommended when the rink is open to the public. Please contact us for questions or Report an Issue online.
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