Community Corner

Walpole's Turner Pond Open for Ice Skating Today

The pond opens for ice skating at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4.

With the region plunging into a deep winter freeze this week, Turner Pond and Turner Lodge will be open for the first time this season today at 3 p.m.

The Walpole Ponds crew has been busily preparing the pond for ice skaters and ice fishers the past few days and Pond Management Committee chair Daniel Ryan said that the ice is now thick enough to allow for safe recreation.

In order to skate on Turner Pond, two forms (found here) must be filled out and submitted and a fee of $20 for Walpole residents and $30 for non-residents must be payed by either cash or check. Checks should be made out to Turner Pond Lodge Programs. The fee is good for the entire family for the season.

Find out what's happening in Walpolewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“The word is spread throughout Walpole, Norfolk, Natick and Medfield. We blow away the rink prices, we blow away the prices up at the stadium," he said. In 2010 there about 1,100 people signed up altogether.

If the winter weather cooperates, Ryan said they are expecting about 400-500 families to sign up for pond skating this season. Those who prefer not to skate can warm up in the lodge with some hot chocolate.

Find out what's happening in Walpolewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“It’s this little getaway that you’d never even imagine you were in Walpole when you get here,” he said.

Skate sharpening should be available around 11 a.m. Friday and on Saturday the pond will be open at 9 a.m.

Ryan said that any donations of old skates and hockey sticks are greatly appreciated.

For more information visit the Walpole Ponds website.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here