Ice-skating at Traxler Park holds appeals for all
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Curtis Wallisch of Milton and daughter Jolea, 6, pull son his 2 1/2-year-old son Hayden in a sled on the ice at the Traxler Park Ice Rink on Saturday.
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Friends Mac Ryan, left, and William Harker, both 11, play hockey at the Traxler Park Ice Rink on Saturday.
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Teenie Ertz catches her 5-year-old daughter Elizabeth as the two skate together at the Traxler Park Skating Rink on Saturday. Ertz is a former GM worker on a 2-week layoff from her job at the Fort Wayne GM Assembly Plant.
JANESVILLE — It’s a way for parents to bond with their children.
It’s a romantic date for a couple who want to hold hands, laugh and feel like kids again.
It’s a reason for kids to bundle up in winter clothes, try something new and ask mommy for hot chocolate when they’re done.
It’s an excuse to wipeout, slide into a snow bank or bruise your bum.
Ice-skating at Traxler Park is much more than a winter sport. It’s an afternoon with family, a love story and that feeling that we aren’t so grown up.
It’s a time when it’s OK to look ridiculous. And it’s a reminder of what we love about Wisconsin.
Traxler Park was buzzing with dozens of adults and children Saturday afternoon, thanks in large part to a new flooding system that has preserved the ice and made for a longer skating season.
Fathers and sons were playing hockey. Moms and daughters were figure skating.
Couples were skating together.
Teen boys were chasing around teen girls. Parents were tugging their little ones along in sleds.
Inside the warming house, people sat near the wood fire. Others warmed up with hot cocoa.
“It’s fun to come here with your friends and your parents,” 11-year-old Mac Ryan said. “It’s great bonding time.”
The new flooding system was installed this winter. The city dug a depression and placed pipes to flood the area. Ice forms naturally on top of the water, which creates a more stable ice sheet. Crews used to spray water through hoses to create the ice.
The system has made the ice more reliable, boosting the number of visitors to the rink, said Craig Groninger, who was volunteering in the concession stand.
“People know it’s more likely to be open,” Groninger said. “Before, you just didn’t know.”
Hagen Harker and his son, William, said they skate at the rink regularly. They said they meet new people at the rink and enjoy being outdoors.
They said they have noticed the improvement in the ice from previous years.
Tobin Ryan and his son, Mac, said they’re making more trips to the ice rink compared to previous years. They said they have noticed more skaters, too.
“It’s great,” Tobin said.
IF YOU GO
Skating at Traxler Park is free. Skates also are available at no cost.
Hours are from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
During open hours, the restrooms, concession stand and ice skates are available.
For questions, call Janesville Leisure Services at (608) 755-3030.
Jan 17, 2011 at 4:20 p.m.
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This is great! Thank you volunteers. It is also nice that the skates are free. I would love to take my grandkids to do this.
Jan 17, 2011 at 10:26 a.m.
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I give kudos to Jeff & Sally!
Jan 16, 2011 at 10:15 p.m.
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I agree, Jeff & Sally Keena are the driving force behind this effort. Sounds like a lot of fun—thanks to everyone involved!
Jan 16, 2011 at 6:58 p.m.
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Great article....however, how about some kudos to Jeff & Sally Keena for all that they do! ALL of the staff at the warming house are volunteers and that is ALL organized by Jeff & Sally! They put their heart and soul into this organization...as well as all of the other volunteers. Keep up the great work!
Jan 16, 2011 at 6:32 p.m.
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I remember as a kid they'd fill up the rink at forth ward park with water in the winter .... made for some good skating once it froze up.
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