1 What has been the annual attendance at Headwaters Ice Rink since Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation began managing the rink?
A: The 2023-2024 season saw 21,366 admissions over 85 days of operation. Five of those days were closures due to weather or other operational issues.
2 What is the estimated economic impact of the ice rink on the local downtown area, particularly for nearby businesses during the rink°®¶¹app™s operating season?
A: The Headwaters Park ice rink is a downtown attraction that attracts visitors from the region.
3 What types of skates and sizes are available for rent, and how does the rink accommodate skaters with special needs or unique requirements?
A: We have both traditional figure skates and ice hockey skates in sizes from junior 7 to size 15. This season, we will add over 100 new rentable skates to the collection.
As far as accommodating skaters with special needs, entrances to Headwaters Park are universally accessible and all are invited to come and enjoy the atmosphere. Unfortunately, at this time we do not have any kind of adaptive equipment for use on the ice itself.
4 Are there any programs or events aimed at making the ice rink more accessible to underserved communities in Fort Wayne?
A: We offer discounts to school groups. Just call 260-427-6248 to discuss.
Also, returning this season are four evening skates in late January and February that we call Dr. Crawford Days. Thanks to a donation by Marcia Crawford and Grant Crawford, reduced-admission skating and skate rental opportunities will be available to celebrate the memory and community service of Dr. John Crawford, a physician and radiation oncologist and 20-year member of the Fort Wayne City Council.
On those evenings, admission is just $1 and skate rental is $1.
5 How do weather conditions, like unseasonably warm days or heavy snow, impact rink operations, and what measures are in place to handle those situations?
A: Weather is a factor in an outdoor ice rink. The rink is under the roof of the beautiful Lincoln Financial Pavilion, but it is an open-air pavilion. We monitor conditions daily throughout the season and make adjustments based on what we can control.
Sometimes, temperatures can exceed our abilities and can compromise the quality of the ice. When that happens, we do make the call to close the rink until conditions improve. Conversely, when we see temperatures fall below what is deemed to be safe for outdoor activities, we will follow guidelines until conditions improve.
To stay up to date on any weather-related changes, follow us on Facebook @HeadwaterParkFW. You can also find updates on the website.
