Winter time is the time to enjoy snow boarding, sledding, and ice skating.  An outdoor ice rink will soon draw skaters to East Lansing's Valley Court Park.

Modeled after similar rinks in Howell and Holland, it will be the only outdoor rink in mid-Michigan.   East Lansing skaters will have to provide their own equipment.  There won't be a concession stand.  Church volunteers may provide hot chocolate.

The initial idea for the rink came about a year ago.  The city's Downtown Management Board and Downtown Development Authority quickly embraced the concept, which grew out of a survey to downtown merchants asking what new activities they believed visitors would embrace.

The city will eventually be asking for volunteers to help put the rink together.  The Lansing State Journal has more information.

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