Royal Botanical Gardens turns Cootes Paradise skating area into community hub

One of Hamilton’s most popular seasonal skating spots is undoubtedly the frozen marsh at Cootes Paradise.

It’s so popular, in fact, that the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) has taken steps to make a trip to skate on Cootes even more of an event by turning the spot into a ‘community hub’ with food, drinks, and vibes.

HAVE YOU HEARD: The Royal Botanical Gardens recently announced that Cootes Paradise — known to some as Steeltown’s most beloved skating rink — has been turned into a community hub. #HamOnt #Dundas #skating #WINTERhttps://t.co/EBsCm7wHjQ pic.twitter.com/wKIUMP9BRR

— Hamilton Com News (@HamOntComNews) January 26, 2022

The RBG announced the new features this week, which include floodlights for skaing after sunset; the Collective Arts Container, where skaters can grab a warm drink and a bite to eat; a fire pit; and an increase in seating for those who want to lounge and hang out after their skate sesh.

Better still, the Collective Arts Container has more of an expanded menu on weekends, offering hot dogs and handmade sandwiches as well.

The Collective Arts Container at Cootes is open from Monday to Wednesday, 4 pm to 9 pm; Thursday from 2 pm to 9 pm; Friday from 12 pm to 9 pm; and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm.

As usual, the RBG also routinely checks on the ice at Cootes Paradise, ensuring it’s thick enough and safe for skating. Updates are posted online and on the area’s signage every Friday.

Read more about skating at Cootes Paradise on the RBG website.

Lead image courtesy of @rbgcanada

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• activities
• city
• community hub
• Cootes Paradise
• Hamilton
• HamOnt
• nature
• outdoors
• Princess Point
• RBG
• Royal Botanical Gardens
• skating
• things to do