As temperatures rise, rangers closely monitor ice at Long Island State Parks
Ice skating is currently permitted at Hempstead Lake State Park and Belmont Lake State Park, where sustained cold recently created thick enough ice to open skating to the public.
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For the first time in roughly three decades, visitors are lacing up their skates and gliding across the ice at two Long Island state parks. With temperatures now climbing above freezing, park officials are working to make sure the ice remains safe.
Ice skating is currently permitted at Hempstead Lake State Park and Belmont Lake State Park, where sustained cold recently created thick enough ice to open skating to the public.
Now, as milder weather sets in, safety checks are ensuring the ice is still thick enough.
Park Ranger Mike Bonacasa drills into the ice several times a day to measure its thickness. New York State Parks follows guidance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which recommends at least six inches of ice before foot traffic is allowed.
“If it’s black, clear ice, six inches is what we’re going to want to have,” Bonacasa explained. “If it’s like this — we call this white snowy ice — we want it to be around 12 inches thick. Our protocol is if it’s anything less than that, we would then monitor and make sure.”
If rangers find a section that falls below safety standards, they rope off that specific area while keeping the rest of the lake open, provided it remains safe.
Several factors could accelerate melting, including rain, daytime temperatures above 45 degrees and overnight lows that stay above 36 degrees. Bonacasa estimates there may be about a week left of skating, depending on how conditions change.
For now, skating remains free and open during daylight hours beginning at 7:30 a.m. at both parks. Visitors must bring their own skates.
