Coon Rapids Closes Outdoor Ice Rinks and Warming Houses Amid Unsafe Ice Conditions

COON RAPIDS, Minn. 

The City of Coon Rapids announced Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the temporary closure of all outdoor ice rinks and warming houses across the city, citing unsafe ice conditions caused by unseasonably warm winter temperatures.

According to city officials, recent daytime highs approaching 40 degrees have compromised ice integrity throughout the park system, leading to standing water on rink surfaces. When outdoor temperatures rise above freezing, natural ice begins to soften, creating slick and uneven conditions that pose a significant risk to skaters.

City staff explained that soft ice prevents the safe use of heavy resurfacing equipment. Attempting to flood or resurface ice under these conditions can damage the ice base and shorten the lifespan of the rink for the remainder of the season. Additionally, skates can carve deep ruts into soft ice, increasing the likelihood of falls. Once colder temperatures return, these ruts freeze in place and become persistent trip hazards that are difficult to correct.

Scope of closures

Coon Rapids maintains nine outdoor ice rinks, including five hockey rinks and four open pleasure skating rinks. The closure applies to all outdoor rinks and associated warming houses citywide, including major neighborhood locations such as:

• Sand Creek Park, 1008 Northdale Blvd.
• Riverview Park, 2420 105th Ave. NW
• Thorpe Park, 2691 Carlson Dr. NW
• Wintercrest Park, 10300 Woodcrest Dr. NW

City officials emphasized that the decision reflects standard winter operations policy, which prioritizes public safety and long-term rink maintenance. While closures are sometimes necessary during extreme cold, current conditions fall on the opposite end of the spectrum, with temperatures too warm to safely sustain natural outdoor ice.

Weather context and policy

Long-term outdoor rink viability depends on sustained subfreezing temperatures that allow crews to flood surfaces gradually and build a smooth, stable ice layer. Brief cold snaps are often insufficient to reverse damage caused by prolonged warmth. City policy therefore requires consistent freezing conditions before reopening any outdoor facilities.

Staff will continue to evaluate ice conditions daily. Updates regarding potential reopening will be posted on the City website and official social media channels once conditions improve enough to safely resume operations.

Alternative skating options

While neighborhood rinks remain closed, residents seeking ice time may still have options. The Coon Rapids Ice Center, located at 11000 Crooked Lake Blvd. NW, remains open. The facility includes indoor rinks and a mechanically refrigerated outdoor rink that is better equipped to withstand short-term warm spells. Public skating sessions and scheduled hockey programming at the Ice Center are continuing as planned.

City officials encouraged residents to monitor official communications for updates and to avoid using closed outdoor rinks, noting that unsafe ice conditions can change rapidly during periods of fluctuating winter temperatures.

For MinneapoliMedia readers, further updates will be shared as the city releases additional guidance on reopening timelines.

MinneapoliMedia