The winter 2009/10 skating season will start when North Park and South Park ice rinks open on Thurs., Nov. 5 (weather and conditions permitting).  The  skating season will run through March 14, 2010, and the Parks Department will once again offer both free and paid skating lessons throughout the season to residents ages five and older.  For additional information, please call the North Park Ice Rink at 724-935-1280 or the South Park Ice Rink at 412-833-1499.

As to skating rinks closer to our neigbhborhood, there’s no word yet on when the Schenley Skating Rink will open.  The PPG Skating Rink in Market Square will open on Nov. 20.  Light Up Night is Nov. 21.

The above photo was taken in 1895 and shows Pittsburgh’s first hockey team playing in the Schenley Casino, the city’s first indoor skating rink.  If you’d like to know more about the Schenley Casino, click here.