December 4, 2010, rink opening campfire

1.

2.

A rink side campfire from 11am-1pm made this year’s rink opening extra special at Greenwood Park. Many families and people from the community came out to enjoy the warmth, camaraderie, hot chocolate and marshmallows.

After ironing out the logistic wrinkles last season, campfires are becoming a simple way to bring community members together at Greenwood park and add some magic to the skating experience.

3.

So far the fires have been set-up and run by community volunteers with some support from Parks and Rec staff. Greenwood has an approved fire pit location. Volunteers notify the area’s Recreation Manager, who takes out a permit on behalf of the community, and Parks staff dumps sand in the pit location. They supply buckets, shovels, picnic tables, benches, garbage bins and extra rubber mats for the path to the rink. Supplies such as wood and bricks have been obtained by community volunteers and are stored in the field house. Hot chocolate, marshmallows and cups have been either donated or funded by a fireside donation jar. The hot chocolate pot, fire irons (pot stand), whisk, ladle and fire gloves are personal property of a community family but hopefully a set will soon be purchased for long term.

Help setting up and putting away from Justin, the rink building attendant was greatly appreciated, as was Rec staff Paul Stone’s presence and willingness to certify community volunteers in fire training. The community hopes that Parks and Rec staff will help make campfires a regular feature of Greenwood Park’s skating season.

Stay tuned for the next campfire!

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.