North Park and South Park ice rinks to open

Skaters can take the ice at North Park and South Park ice rinks beginning Friday.

Face masks and social distancing are required.

The Allegheny County Parks Department announced the ice rinks will open Friday, with the season running through mid-March, weather permitting.

There will be several restrictions and operational changes in effect because of the covid-19 pandemic.

Only 100 skaters will be permitted per session. Tickets are available for purchase online up to one hour before each session. Season passes and group tickets will not be sold. The rinks also are nixing birthday parties and concessions.

Public skating will be limited to Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and special holiday sessions.

Session times at both rinks are:

• Fridays: noon to 2 p.m., 5-7 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• Saturdays: noon to 2 p.m., 2:30-4:30 p.m., 5-7 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• Sundays: noon to 2 p.m., 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.

Prices range from $3 to $5 for residents and $4 to $6 for nonresidents, depending on the session.

The rinks also will offer holiday session times, with a $5 admission fee for residents and a $6 charge for nonresidents:

• Christmas Eve: noon to 2 p.m. and 2:30-4:30 p.m.
• Winter break from Dec. 28 through Dec. 30: noon to 2 p.m., 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
• New Year’s Eve: noon to 2 p.m. and 2 p.m., 2:30-4:30 p.m.
• New Year’s Day: noon to 2 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: noon to 2 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
• Presidents Day: noon to 2 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.

Both rinks will offer skate rentals and skate sharpening.

The rinks are hosting several ice skating and hockey programs, beginning at age 3. Preregistration is required online.

Skaters can rent the rinks by calling North Park ice rink at 724-935-1280 or South Park ice rink at 412-833-1499.

For more information, visit alleghenycounty.us/skating.