12 Outdoor Ice Skating Spots

Getting ready to skate at the Ellis Nature Sanctuary in Marshfield!

As much as we may dislike the coldest days of winter, when the air temperatures drop below freezing and stay there, there is at least one upside. Pond skating! It can feel so liberating to lace up the skates and glide around a frozen lagoon. At least for me, it conjures vivid memories of my youth, when the neighborhood kids would gather at the cranberry bog behind our houses and spend the hour between school and dusk trying to emulate Dorothy Hamill or Bobby Orr. Need a breath of fresh air this winter, or a change in your workout routine? Consider pond skating to get your blood pumping a little faster. 

It takes a few days of deep freeze to render a pond or a lake safe for skating. The best policy is to wait until the ice is at least four inches thick. Even then, avoid flowing waterways, where the thickness of the ice is less consistent or predictable. Our local history books feature anecdotes about skating the length of the North River, but this is never a good idea. Even on lakes and ponds, be wary of spring holes or other inflows or outflows that could weaken the ice.

Some other important tips:

• Check the ice carefully. New ice is stronger than old ice. Clear, freshly formed ice is the safest outdoor place to skate.

• Remember that ice doesn’t freeze uniformly. Continue to assess its thickness as you venture out. Experts recommend using a chisel, augur or cordless drill to make test holes, plus a tape measure for accuracy.

• Be smart. Don’t go alone. Know how to respond to emergencies like falling through the ice. Review rescue techniques by scrolling down past the ice fishing info at https://www.mass.gov/news/learn-to-ice-fish

Below are 12 local ponds on public lands with convenient parking -- places where you might consider skating this winter.

• Jacobs Pond, Norwell - This 60-acre pond on Jacobs Lane is also popular for ice fishing. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/jacobs-pond-conservation-area/

• Denham Pond, Hanover - This small woodland pond is accessible via a gravel road off Circuit Street. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/denham-pond-park/

• Oldham Pond, Pembroke - You might have to share space with ice fishers at this 235-acre pond on Wampatuck Street. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/oldham-pond-town-landing/

• Island Creek Pond, Duxbury - Drive right up to the 35-acre pond at this secluded woodland setting on Tobey Garden Street. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/crooker-memorial-park-and-island-creek-pond/

• Ellis Nature Sanctuary, Marshfield - Look for the unmarked access road on Plain Street near Sandy Hill Drive, and then follow the short path through the woods to the small pond. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/ellis-nature-sanctuary/

• Aaron River Reservoir at Wompatuck State Park, Hingham - Enter the park at Lazell Street, and then drive to the boat launch area for access to the reservoir. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/wompatuck-state-park/

• Forge Pond, Hanover - Enter Forge Pond Park from King Street, and drive all the way to the back, to Parking Area E. From there, it’s a short walk to this medium-sized pond. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/forge-pond-park/

• Furnace Pond, Pembroke - This 107-acre pond in a neighborhood setting is the perfect spot to lace up your skates. Access via Furnace Colony Drive. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/furnace-pond-beach/

• Maquan Pond, Hanson - Turn onto Camp Kiwanee Road from Route 58 and soon you’ll arrive at Cranberry Cove, where there is direct access to the 48-acre pond. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/maquan-pond-and-cranberry-cove/

• Indian Head Pond, Hanson - The access road (off Route 58) to this 121-acre pond is not easy to spot. Proceed down a long dirt road to the Marcus L. Urann Fisherman’s Landing for pond access. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/indian-head-pond/

• Stetson Pond, Pembroke - This 93-acre pond on Plymouth Street offers an open setting, surrounded by woods, with plenty of parking. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/stetson-pond-beach/

• Harding’s Pond, Whitman - This small pond at the intersection of Pine and Beal Streets features a row of benches for skate-lacing and spectating. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/hardings-pond-conservation-area/

by Kezia Bacon

December 2019

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to protecting our waters. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. You will also find 20+ years of Kezia’s Nature columns there.