Don't bring your skates to Rosa Parks Circle for now. Due to construction delays, the winter skating season was postponed.

Since May, the popular Grand Rapids landmark has been undergoing a $2.8 million renovation project. The original plan was to reopen Rosa Parks Circle in September, just in time for ArtPrize... well, this obviously didn't happen.

As we told you in August, due to the global supply chain disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a granite seat at Rosa Parks Circle is to be blamed... and this still seems to be the case.

According to the news released by Grand Rapids,

The delay in the manufacture of the new granite seat has delayed the estimated completion date to February. The partners are looking for possible alternative skating locations and, if possible, provide a shortened skating season at Rosa Parks Circle after the construction is completed.

Temporary replacements have been considered, such as portable outdoor skating rinks or synthetic ice solutions, but the city government stated that these are hindered by supply chain and cost issues.

If you want to know why they don’t just use materials other than granite as seats, Rosa Parks Circle is actually part of an art installation called Ecliptic; the people involved in the restoration say they are committed to realizing the artist Maya Lin’s original vision of the space .

Tripp Frey, president of the Rosa Parks Circle Conservation Society, said,

The granite seat ring is more durable than the previously used concrete and requires less maintenance. When Ecliptic was first put into use 20 years ago, there were more visitors than ever imagined, and these improvements will ensure that it can be enjoyed for many years to come.

Although the skating season has been postponed, the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony will still be held on Friday, December 3rd at the same location on Monroe Center Street.

David Marquardt, Director of Parks and Recreation, said,

We know that skating at Rosa Parks Circle is a precious winter tradition in Grand Rapids, and we hope to provide skating in some form this year. At the same time, our city park provides many other ways to enjoy the snow, get active and explore nature.

If the weather permits, people can enjoy the following winter activities in GR Park:

Starting from December 4th, every Saturday from 1pm to 4pm, the following parks will provide free sleigh rental and winter clothing rental services

With the support of the Thrive Outdoor initiative in New York City, other pop-up sledding activities at GR Park will be announced soon.

The Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department also offers winter activities at the Indian Trails Golf Course. Starting from December 6, the trail system will be open from 8 am to 8 pm every day for fat tire bicycles, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Find information about day passes and season passes here.

Grand Rapids City Center Company, a partner in the Rosa Parks Circle restoration project, once again plans to provide winter activities in the city center, including the Winter World starting on January 7, 2022.

We will keep you updated on the progress of Rosa Parks Circle and the skating activities at the ice rink in the city center.

But what if you still want to skate?

Several facilities provide indoor skating time:

A quick Google search, I couldn't find any other outdoor skating rinks nearby. Do you know any places where you can skate outdoors in the Grand Rapids area?