Skaters could be seen dotting bodies of water across Wellesley this weekend. The crisp clacking of pucks on sticks and skates on ice could be heard from Longfellow Pond to Morses Pond to Lake Waban.
Some of these areas are easier to access than others (though of course those living pond- or lake-side were able to zip right onto the ice).
Longfellow has a handy parking lot off of Oakland Street, though I saw plenty of skaters walking from nearby streets. Morses Pond might require a short walk from the Turner Road gate unless you’ve got a connection. Lake Waban can be accessed by parking at sanctioned spots at Wellesley College and walking along the part of the trail still publicly accessible.
oh my gosh that ice is not thick enough for children to be skating on!
i wouldn’t even let my dog walk on that!
Do you remember when the town had a Volkswagen Beetle with a plow on front that would clear the snow from the ice to allow skating on Longfellow Pond?
Really? That must have been before liability became the operative word in town. Think the town tries to distance itself from encouraging pond/lake skating these days. The Rec Dept for years had installed outdoor rinks as an outlet for outdoor skating. The Fire Dept, which has had to do its share of icy water rescues (mainly involving dogs), clearly discourages skating on lakes/ponds due to dangers.
Wellesley College does not permit skating on Lake Waban for liability reasons. In past years, the College Police have enforced this policy without exception, even for local alumnae or for town residents who support the college. It’s always a good idea to wear a life preserver while skating on ponds.
The skaters we saw were along the Hunnewell path, so we dunno, maybe outside the college’s jurisdiction on this Great Pond?
Having grown up in Wellesley, I remember when the local businesses and the town would flood the basin at the town hall… the hill for sledding and the basin for skating… it was great!