Aiming to bring a little bit of holiday spirit to Princeton, Palmer Square Management is setting up an outdoor ice skating rink – just like the one at Rockefeller Center – behind the Nassau Inn on Hulfish Street.
The ice skating rink will be set up in the courtyard, where Princeton Boy Scout Troop 43 has held its Christmas tree sale for many years. The troop is moving the Christmas tree sale to a field next to the Princeton YMCA parking lot on Paul Robeson Place.
The eco-friendly ice skating rink will open Nov. 30 – the day after Palmer Square’s traditional tree lighting event, which takes place on Nov. 29 at 5 p.m. The rink will be open through Feb. 28.
Princeton officials are very supportive of the ice rink, Mayor Liz Lempert said. Residents are interested in having an outdoor ice rink, she said, adding that Palmer Square Management is responsible for bringing the ice rink to town.
“We expect it to be a great draw for people to come to town. Experience the magic,” Lempert said.
Jamie Volkert, the director of marketing for Palmer Square Management, explained that the idea for an ice rink has been discussed since about 2008.
“When we first started seriously researching and planning for this rink two years ago, I had no idea how many people had hoped for skating to one day be a part of the holiday season in town,” Volkert said.
“The more stories we hear, the more magical it becomes,” Volkert said.
Unlike the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center, this one is eco-friendly. It is made of a high-quality synthetic material called “glice,” which requires minimal maintenance.
Glice eco rinks use a unique polymer skating surface. The non-refrigerated skating surface acts like ice, but it does not need compressors, piping, water or refrigerant that is required in a conventional ice skating rink.
“Ice skating is a fun, traditional activity to bring the community together throughout the winter season,” Volkert said.
And that is just what Princeton merchants are hoping will happen.
The Princeton Merchants Association is doing its part to encourage visitors to come to town. It is arranging for community-based singing and musical groups to provide seasonal entertainment between Nov. 30 – Dec. 24.
The groups will perform throughout the town – from Hinds Plaza to Palmer Square and the Garden Theater in the Central Business District, to the Princeton Shopping Center on N. Harrison Street.
Meanwhile, Princeton officials have made some temporary changes to parking operations – also in the hope that it will encourage visitors to come to town for the day and then stay to patronize the restaurants.
The parking meter changes also should encourage commuters to linger in town, so they can avoid the traffic jams that are accompanying the six-month-long closure of Alexander Street for the bridge replacement projects, Lempert said.
The road closed on Nov. 6, and will not reopen until April.
“We are working in conjunction with the Princeton Merchants Association, in response to Alexander Street being closed, to be sure of a successful holiday season,” Lempert said.
On-street metered parking will be free after 6 p.m. on weekdays until the end of December, Lempert said. There will be free parking on the street every Sunday during December.
The rink will be open on Thursdays and Fridays, from 4-7 p.m. On Saturdays, it will be open from 12-3 p.m. and from 4-7 p.m.
Special holiday hours are 12-3 p.m. on Dec. 23 and 24. It will be open from 12-3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. on Dec. 26 and 27. The rink will be closed on Christmas Day. It will be open from 12-3 p.m. Dec. 30 – Jan. 1.
The cost is $10 per skater, which includes skate rentals. Skaters can also bring their own ice skates.