Minneapolis to open 44 outdoor rinks by Dec. 22
The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board says it will open 44 outdoor ice rinks at 22 city parks in time for Minneapolis Public Schools’ winter break on Dec. 22, weather permitting. All rinks and warming rooms will be free and open until at least 9 p.m.; Powderhorn and Webber rinks will return this season on land rather than on Powderhorn Lake or Webber Pool after prior warm winters and funding pressures disrupted operations.
📌 Key Facts
- 44 outdoor rinks at 22 parks planned to open by Dec. 22, 2025 (weather permitting)
- Rinks and warming rooms are free to use and open until at least 9 p.m.
- Powderhorn and Webber rinks will be built on land instead of on the lake/pool this season
📊 Relevant Data
Minnesota has warmed by 3.0 degrees F between 1895 and 2020, while annual precipitation increased by an average of 3.4 inches.
Climate trends | Minnesota DNR — Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Daily average minimum temperatures during winter (Dec-Feb) have increased 7.3 degrees from 1895-2021 in northern Minnesota, 6 degrees in central Minnesota and 5.2 degrees in southern Minnesota.
Climate change impacts | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency — Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Over the last 50 years, Minnesota's winter has warmed 13 times faster than summer.
Recreation, tourism threatened by winter warming — Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership
The Powderhorn Park neighborhood in Minneapolis has a demographic composition of 49% White, 30% Hispanic, 10% African American, 7% two or more races, and 3% Asian.
The Webber-Camden neighborhood in Minneapolis has a demographic composition of 30.0% Black, 29.9% White, 19.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.0% Asian.
Webber-Camden neighborhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota (MN), 55412 detailed profile — City-Data.com
The cost for eight days of outdoor skating, hockey and broomball in Minneapolis during the 2023-2024 season was $750,187, or about $94,000 per day.
Weirdly warm winter cost Minneapolis parks $750000 for one week of outdoor ice rinks — Star Tribune