Brainerd Lake provides frosty fun
By: Jamie Simpson
The scene was reminiscent of an old Currier & Ives picture. The quaint town of Cranbury, nestled between the hustle and bustle of busy central New Jersey life, was brimming with ice skaters, all enjoying the glistening, frozen surface of Brainerd Lake.
In the middle of the lake, swarms of residents, some even without ice skates, glided and toppled over the slippery ice rink.
Over the weekend, young and old alike zipped up their warm winter coats, pulled on their gloves, tightened their scarves and donned ice skates.
The cold temperatures seemed to have little effect on skaters, although it was cold enough to see the steam of your breath. The cold was so fierce, in fact, that any exposed area of the body was immediately a prime candidate for frostbite.
The below-freezing temperatures that have iced over the town were the contributing factor to the fun at Brainerd Lake.
Public Works Director Tom Witt has been visiting the lake daily to measure the thickness of the ice. It had been declared safe for skating last week. However, skating is only permitted when the ice is 6 inches thick.
Hockey has become a popular sport with the lake freezing. Players could be seen throughout the weekend, trying tirelessly to score the winning goal of the game.
This is the first time in two years that Brainerd Lake has been opened for ice-skating.
People are not the only ones enjoying the frozen lake. Sweetie, an adorable little puppy who was owned by a Cranbury resident, didn’t seem to mind the brisk weather, bounding about the lake, attempting to jump atop the slick surface.
The cold weather is predicted to remain most of the week. The green flag will remain posted on Main Street until the lake in deemed unsafe for skating. If the big chill continues, the frosty festivities also will continue.
With not a frown in sight at Brainerd Lake, it appears that the ice-skating has brought back good, old-fashioned rustic fun.

