Outdoor Skating and Sledding

The following parks will have outdoor rinks available for skating. The figure skating rinks are rinks with no boards, while the hockey rinks have boards on all sides (unless otherwise indicated). If there are parks with both rinks, two separate rinks will be available for skating.

The rink lights will typically turn on around 4:30 p.m. and turn off around 8:45 p.m.

Park Figure skating rink  Hockey rink Lighted rink Warming house
Ainsworth Park X      
Bass Lake Park X      
Birchwood Park X X X X
Browndale Park X X X X
Center Park X X X  
Fern Hill Park X      
Jackley Park X   X  
Nelson Park X X X X
Oak Hill Park X X X X
Parkview Park X X X X
Willow Park X      

Warming houses

The city operates four parks with warming houses near their skating rinks: Birchwood, Browndale, Nelson, Oak Hill and Parkview parks. Warming houses will close when the temperature falls below negative 5 degrees and/or the wind chill is negative 15 degrees or lower. Call the weather line at 952.924.2567 for updates.

All hours below are weather permitting.

Regular hours

Dec. 18 – 20, Jan. 4 – Feb. 14

Day Time
Monday – Thursday 4 – 8 p.m.
Friday 4 – 8:30 p.m. 
Saturday 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Sunday Noon – 7 p.m.

Winter break hours

Dec. 21, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027

Day Time
Monday – Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Sunday Noon – 8:30 p.m.

Holiday and school release day hours

Date Time
Dec. 24  10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Dec. 25 Closed
Dec. 31 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.*
Jan. 1 Noon – 8:30 p.m.
Jan. 18 Noon – 8:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 Noon – 8:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 Noon – 8:30 p.m.
Feb. 15 Noon – 8:30 p.m.

*Oak Hill Park will be open Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Nelson Park general skating schedule

Below are the days and times when the west rink will be open for general skating (no sticks or goals allowed).

All hours below are weather permitting.

Regular hours

Dec. 18 – 20, Jan. 4 – Feb. 14

Day Time
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 4 – 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Friday 4 – 8 p.m. 
Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday Noon – 2 p.m.

Winter break hours

Dec. 21, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027

Day Time
Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday Noon – 2 p.m.

Holiday and school release day hours

Date Time
Dec. 24  10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Dec. 25 Closed
Dec. 31 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Jan. 1 Noon – 6 p.m.
Jan. 18 Noon – 6 p.m.
Jan. 25 Noon – 6 p.m.
Feb. 5 Noon – 6 p.m.
Feb. 15 Noon – 6 p.m.

Warming house rentals

The four enclosed park buildings at Birchwood, Browndale, Nelson and Oak Hill parks can accommodate groups up to 25 and are available for rental before, during and after regular warming house hours.

If you are interested in renting the warming house, complete the winter outdoor facility rental application.

Before/after warming house hours

Private use of the warming house before or after regular public hours. Tables and chairs are included.

  • Fee: $50 per hour (resident) / $60 (non-resident)

During warming house hours

Tables and chairs can be set up for rentals in a designated area of the warming house. The general public may still access the building during this time. Group size for this time may be limited.

  • Fee: $20 per hour (resident and non-resident)

Outdoor hockey rentals

Outdoor hockey rinks with nets are available to rent at Birchwood, Browndale, Nelson and Oak Hill parks during regular warming house hours. Broomball nets are available at Nelson Park only.

  • Fee: $30 per hour (resident) / $40 (non-resident)

If you are interested in renting a hockey rink, complete the winter outdoor facility rental application. 

Contact The Rec Center at 952.924.2540 for more information.

Sledding hills

The following parks have sledding hills:

  • Ainsworth Park
  • Aquila Park
  • Browndale Park*
  • Cedar Manor/Lake Park
  • Dakota Park
  • Keystone Park
  • Louisiana Oaks Park*
  • Minikahda Vista Park
  • Oak Hill Park*
  • Wolfe Park

*Parks that are lighted. The lights will typically turn on around 4:30 p.m. and turn off around 8:45 p.m.

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