Fort Lee—Are your children going a bit stir-crazy? With temperatures hovering even lower than normal for this time of year, who wants to go out? Besides, what’s there to do this time of year anyway?

While there’s nothing that can be done about the temperature, your options of what to do just got bigger. On Friday, January 9, Fort Lee had a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new outdoor ice skating rink. The rink is located at Palisades Interstate Park on Hudson Terrace off Central Road, behind the Fort Lee High School football field.

Fort Lee residents are clearly excited about the changes in their borough. Linda Stamker, a resident of Fort Lee and a regular shul attendee, said of the rink, “It’s a nice thing and it’s always nice to have new places to take the kids.”

The rink is part of the revitalization of Fort Lee. Other additions include the borough’s exciting new retail facilities and parks. The rink itself is Fort Lee’s first outdoor ice-skating rink in more than 40 years. The borough acquired the space from the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and upgraded it by putting in new lights and a sound system.

The best part about the new rink: It’s free! That’s right, you don’t need to pay to enjoy the rink. However, you need to bring your own skates as there are no rentals and no supervision. As of now, there are no retail components such as a snack bar, but the borough will consider such additions and other improvements based on this year’s turnout.

If you are going with your children, please note that children 8 and under must be accompanied by a guardian. In addition, the rink’s daily opening is weather permitting.

So, don’t let the cold temperatures keep you and your children inside. Brave the weather and enjoy free outdoor ice skating in Fort Lee.

By Larry Bernstein