2023

Feb.4, 2023 from Beth Binnington

We took advantage of the seasonal weather and started the rink on Monday January 30. This is definitely the latest start in my experience. Before now we have not had 5 consecutive days of sub-zero weather. First skaters used the rink Thursday Feb. 2nd for a small hockey game (not bad, just day 4 from start) though the ice was far from perfect. Friday Feb. 3 was a rink-makers dream: -20C! We’ll see how long the rink lasts…

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Rink diaries from earlier years:

2022

Jan.14, 2022, from Beth Binnington

We were able to get in an early morning flood. The rink held up very well the last 2 days (perhaps I was the only one hoping they were overcast- the sun is a killer on warm days!). Great rink-making weather coming up- we could use a bit of snow if that’s not too much to ask. Lots of activity today (a PA day I was told); here’s a photo.

Jan.12, 2022, from Beth Binnington

I would like to report that the East Lynn Park rink has skaters out tonight, and a shinny game (Wed. January 12)! We started the rink January 7th and have faced some of the most extreme temperature swings I’ve seen in such a short time; from +4C to -20C (windchill -29C). Forecast for the weekend is looking very good.

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2021

Feb.7,2021, from Beth Binnington

I'm happy to report that after no rink in 2020 due to warm weather, East Lynn Park has a rink in 2021. We started it around January 22 when the 5-day forecast looked promising and got a decent base fairly quickly. It was a chore to shovel off the 6-10 inches of snow that fell January 26th but worth the effort- so many children are out learning to skate this year. People are respecting distancing and just seem very pleased to have something to go out and do.

We got through the few plus zero days last week and the 7-day forecast looks ideal for maintaining the rink. The city upgraded our water source in the fall - it is now above ground and makes hooking up the hose much easier. I'm glad it was worth their while. I've included some pictures below, from Jan 28, Jan 30, Feb 1 and Feb 7.

Rink diary 2019

2020

Jan.22, 2020, from Beth Binnington

At East Lynn we are in a holding pattern with regard to starting. As you know, our rink is built on a gentle slope and has no boards. We really can't begin unless there is a 7 day forecast of continual sub-zero temperatures and we did not see that despite the promising low temperatures of last weekend.

Quite disappointing‎!

Will let you know if we start- it is looking less likely but rink makers are nothing if not optimistic.

Jan.25, 2020, from Beth Binnington

At East Lynn we always plan to make a rink, it's only January after all. But I won't start unless I see at least a week of sub-zero day and night.

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Jan.20, 2019, from Beth Binnington

East Lynn Park natural ice rink was started just on January 14, one of the latest starts I can remember, and it was started on bare grass. Things look different today- a crew of 4 shovelled it off this morning in just under 2 hours. The ice is decent and skate-able but not perfect- hopefully after a flood tonight (under the lunar eclipse) it will be up to our standards.

It is refreshing to be out‎ in the winter air working on the rink! Today was very beautiful.

[Ed.note: temperature got up to -15 today. During the lunar eclipse it will be -20 or colder.]

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Rink diary 2017 - 2018

Dec.31, 2017, from Beth Binnington

I'd like to report that East Lynn Park natural ice skating rink is up and running before New Year's. It was started December 25th and the first skaters were seen December 28th. Weather has been great for rink building but hopefully it will warm up just a little so outdoor skating can be more pleasurable for the smaller kids! So far the 'lower' rink is ready and suitable for skating or a shinny game. Since the forecast is so promising we are now widening it and starting the upper, pleasure-skating rink.

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Rink diary 2016

Jan.23, 2016

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Rink diary 2015

January 15 2015

An excellent rink this year, three kids playing shinny hockey at 9 pm. Ice maker Beth Binnington said they started on January 9, and three days later the little kids could already skate on the small part of the rink.

This rink has better lighting than Queensway Rink (one of the city's official compressor-cooled rinks). There are two strong lights up on a pole -- similar to the lighting at Sorauren, Beresford and Fairmount natural rinks. Even so, the three shinny players lost their pucks a lot, since there are no boards to stop them. Beth said that in spring when the snow melts, they always find pucks in the grass.

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Rink Diary 2013 - 2014

East Lynn Park

Jan. 5. 2014 from Beth Binnington

We did start later than we could have weather-wise, a combination of pre-Christmas business, ice-storm distraction, and just not trusting it could stay that cold so early in the winter. I've attached a picture of this year's rink, taken from the toboggan hill on East Lynn Ave. Today, Sun. Jan. 5th, we had a very good turn-out with the mild weather. I'll send updates as we go, the weather this week will be a challenge I think.

Jan 4, 2014 from rink ice-maker Beth Binnington

We started the rink on Monday Dec. 30, and went at it pretty hard to take advantage of the excellent ice-making weather this past week. Our first skater braved the still bumpy ice on Wednesday and our first evening shinny game took place last night, Friday Jan. 3. The conditions allowed for one of the fastest start-ups I've seen; a sheet of base-ice from the ice-storm, followed by minus 20C temperatures. The rink is ready now for skaters of all skill levels.

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January 8, 2013

Feb.2 2013, from rink ice-maker Beth Binnington

As of Feb. 2 we have got the rink up and running again after the brief thaw. The rink is well-used on the weekends.

Feb.7 2013, from rink ice-maker Beth Binnington

We currently have a crew of 3 rink-makers and no formal schedule; we just watch the forecast and plan maintenance/flooding times a few days in advance. The main two challenges with the East Lynn Park rink are that it sits on a slope, and square in the middle is a drainage grate which leads to the buried creek which used to run through the park. The drain is blocked with rigid foam insulation and a plastic sheet at the start of the season; once we get a good base it isn't much of a problem any more. The drain and slope obviously are a big challenge during a warm winter though, but not counting the January thaw, this has been one of the better rink-making years of the last 8 years or so.

We try to make the rink large enough to accommodate a shinny game and pleasure skating. At the north end, our more artistic crew-man likes to build interesting paths and mini-rinks to make skating fun and it's quite popular with kids learning how to skate.

Feb.18 2013, from rink ice-maker Beth Binnington

it's been a challenge recently with the heavy snowfall then warm temperatures. We managed to salvage the lower, main rink and the upper part has been transformed into a slalom skateway. I'm attaching picures from Sunday Feb. 3, before the snowstorm, and today- Feb 18 (Family Day). The rink was very busy today with a steady stream of skaters of all ages and experience levels.

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Rink Diary2012-2013

East Lynn Park

Jan. 5. 2014 from Beth Binnington

We did start later than we could have weather-wise, a combination of pre-Christmas business, ice-storm distraction, and just not trusting it could stay that cold so early in the winter. I've attached a picture of this year's rink, taken from the toboggan hill on East Lynn Ave. Today, Sun. Jan. 5th, we had a very good turn-out with the mild weather. I'll send updates as we go, the weather this week will be a challenge I think.

Jan 4, 2014 from rink ice-maker Beth Binnington

We started the rink on Monday Dec. 30, and went at it pretty hard to take advantage of the excellent ice-making weather this past week. Our first skater braved the still bumpy ice on Wednesday and our first evening shinny game took place last night, Friday Jan. 3. The conditions allowed for one of the fastest start-ups I've seen; a sheet of base-ice from the ice-storm, followed by minus 20C temperatures. The rink is ready now for skaters of all skill levels.

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January 8, 2013

Feb.2 2013, from rink ice-maker Beth Binnington

As of Feb. 2 we have got the rink up and running again after the brief thaw. The rink is well-used on the weekends.

Feb.7 2013, from rink ice-maker Beth Binnington

We currently have a crew of 3 rink-makers and no formal schedule; we just watch the forecast and plan maintenance/flooding times a few days in advance. The main two challenges with the East Lynn Park rink are that it sits on a slope, and square in the middle is a drainage grate which leads to the buried creek which used to run through the park. The drain is blocked with rigid foam insulation and a plastic sheet at the start of the season; once we get a good base it isn't much of a problem any more. The drain and slope obviously are a big challenge during a warm winter though, but not counting the January thaw, this has been one of the better rink-making years of the last 8 years or so.

We try to make the rink large enough to accommodate a shinny game and pleasure skating. At the north end, our more artistic crew-man likes to build interesting paths and mini-rinks to make skating fun and it's quite popular with kids learning how to skate.

Feb.18 2013, from rink ice-maker Beth Binnington

it's been a challenge recently with the heavy snowfall then warm temperatures. We managed to salvage the lower, main rink and the upper part has been transformed into a slalom skateway. I'm attaching picures from Sunday Feb. 3, before the snowstorm, and today- Feb 18 (Family Day). The rink was very busy today with a steady stream of skaters of all ages and experience levels.