Friends of Kelly Rink has concluded its 10th season providing recreation at the state Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) temporary outdoor ice skating Rink on Marbury Terrace. Hundreds of local youths used the rink as their winter recreation spot. We rented over 8,000 pairs of skates (at $1/rental), and 120 children and adults took part in our “Learn to Skate” program sanctioned by the US Figure Skating Association and coordinated by Kim Wheeland, a professional figure skating teacher and JP resident.
We thank everyone who made our continuing success possible. The DCR staff was able to cope with the challenges they faced maintaining the ice in an outdoor facility. Regional Director Karl Pastore and Southwest Corridor Park Manager Tom Yovicsin were there for us whenever problems arose. Boston Police District E-13 acting Commander Richard Houston made sure the rink was on the regular patrol schedule of his officers. State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz and state Reps. Liz Malia and Jeffrey Sánchez helped ensure the rink received all the necessary resources from the state. Max Lee and Jeff Ferris managed the skate rental trailer in a calm and professional manner along with Cassandra Hernandez, Marquis Mathis and Robert Winston.
We thank our sponsors: Ace Hardware City, Boston Building Materials Cooperative, Brookside Community Health Center, City Feed and Supply, Classic Cleaners, Coldwell Banker, Diaz Foreign Car Specialists, Fresh Hair, JP Gazette, Clerk Magistrate Maura Hennigan, Hyde Square Task Force, JP Children’s Soccer, Knights of Columbus, Rep. Liz Malia, Mann and Rodgers, Mike’s Fitness, Morrison’s Auto-Rite, Mt. Washington Bank, JP Neighborhood Development Corporation, Tom O’Malley, The Power Company, Reagan Youth League, Sorella’s, Southern JP Health Center, Spontane-ous Celebrations, Stanley Towing, City Councilor John Tobin, Ula Café, Urban Edge and Yumont True Value Hardware.
We welcome everyone’s support in our efforts to bring a permanent state-of-the-art skating rink to Jackson Square. See you on the ice next winter.
Ginny Clifford, Mike Frank
Steve Glickel
Friends of Kelly Rink
Jamaica Plain