Recreation superintendent Mark DeSanto previews Dodge Park Ice Rink season and events

Mark DeSanto, recreation superintendent for the Parks and Recreation Department, outlined plans for the Dodge Park Ice Rink season, saying the rink will be open seven days a week from Dec. 1 through the first weekend in March. He said the rink reopens each year on Dec. 1 and will return on Dec. 1, 2026, for the following season.

DeSanto described the season's traditional kickoff with the 'Sterling Christmas' event, calling it the rink's first busy weekend. For December he highlighted 'Coco with CORE,' an evening skating event that includes local police officers and community skating activities.

Winter programming will include family-oriented themed nights. "We do some special events," DeSanto said, describing a superhero night in which a costumed character skates and poses for photos with families, and a 'princess day' with a costumed skater on the ice for pictures and skating with visitors.

DeSanto said the Shadow Hockey Club, a minor-league team, made a recent appearance for an evening of giveaways and skating with players and "really drew in a pretty good crowd," which helped attendance on a cold night. He also said that, during December through February on weekends, a food trailer operated by a vendor called Deer Camp offers hot coffee, hot cocoa, snacks and hot dogs.

No formal motions or votes were recorded during the update; the presentation was informational and focused on programming and scheduling. The department did not announce changes to fees or policies during the remarks.