Ice skating begins in Birmingham’s Railroad Park
The views of the city from Railroad Park make this ice skating experience unlike any other. (Michael Tomberlin / Alabama NewsCenter)
The public can ice skate in Railroad Park starting on Friday, but a select few got a chance to hit the ice first Tuesday night.
Magic Ice USA has set up its 50-by-70-foot rink on Railroad Park’s 17th Street Plaza. Known as “Birmingham’s Winter Wonderland,” Skaters can blade toward the Birmingham skyline before making the turn and heading back toward Children’s of Alabama, Vulcan and UAB.
Ice skating in Birmingham’s Railroad Park from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
“We’re very excited to have everyone come out and enjoy ice skating under the Birmingham skyline,” said Joy Myers, special events coordinator for Railroad Park.
The rink will open to the public on Friday, Nov. 25 at 10 a.m. and remain open through Jan. 16, 2017.
Hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Christmas Day and New Year’s Day hours are noon to 8 p.m.
Tickets cost $10 for a two-hour session, including skate rental. Individuals are welcome to bring their own skates. The group rate for 20 or more skaters is $8 per person. Tickets are available online through the Railroad Park website.
Railroad Park plans to host birthday parties, holiday parties and corporate gatherings at the new rink. The park will host different theme nights, including “tacky sweater night” and “SEC team night.” Railroad Park will announce the theme night schedule across social media channels.
To schedule an event or book group tickets, call Railroad Park’s office at 205-521-9933 or email events@railroadpark.org. Winter Wonderland is sponsored by the Susan Mott Webb Charitable Trust, American Family Care, the city of Birmingham, Birmingham City Council, McKinney Capital, the Will Brooke Family and AL.com.
Railroad Park will be adding the American Family Care Holiday Market each Saturday starting Nov. 26 and lasting to Dec. 24. Merchants will sell seasonal gifts.
The Boxcar Cafe will be open this winter to sell hot chocolate and other items.
“Railroad Park will come alive this winter in ways that it hasn’t before,” said Camille Spratling, executive director of the Railroad Park Foundation. “Our goal is to continue to bring Birmingham’s residents together to experience what our city has to offer.”
Miami-based Magic Ice USA built and maintains the Railroad Park rink.
