We won’t get into who we’re rooting for when it comes to New York hockey teams, though if blue and orange are your colors you’ll soon be able to get in on the action in a whole new way.
The New York Islanders in partnership with Northwell, the New York Racing Association, and USA Hockey have announced the opening of The Park at UBS Arena, a 155,800 square foot season-long, outdoor experience that will introduce the first two public pond hockey rinks to the community.
The first rink, dubbed Northwell Pond and created with a sheet of natural ice, will be all about hockey, of course!
Northwell Pond will host a series of 4v4 pond hockey tournaments catering to youth and adult divisions at various competitive levels.
Isles Pond, the second rink, will be made from synthetic ice ensuring season-long accessibility and will be a bit more casual.
Isles Pond will host Learn to Skate, Learn to Play, and Try Hockey for Free programs. These programs will cater to a wide range of age groups and skill levels, aiming to grow the sport of hockey by making it accessible for everyone.
Beyond the tournaments and skating programs, both pond rinks will also host 90-minute public skate sessions starting at $20. Skates will be available to rent for $10 along with lockers to store personal belongings. Private ice time reservations will also be available for team practices or special events.
Islanders Executive Vice President, Nick Pizzutello, said of the park:
The Islanders are proud to be part of this season’s outdoor Stadium Series game and look forward to expanding on this great platform by bringing pond hockey to our backyard. We are excited to give all Islanders fans the opportunity to bring our deep-rooted pregame traditions to UBS Arena.
The Park will also take game day to the next level, offering fans a special pregame experience ahead of Islanders home games including MSG Networks’ Islanders Pregame Show with host Shannon Hogan and analyst Thomas Hickey.
Fans can also take part in watch parties for select road games, so you can come out and cheer for the Isles while taking to ice yourself.
In addition to the two outdoor rinks, The Park at UBS Arena will also offer guests a wide range of activities to enjoy with friends, including:
- An outdoor Beer Garden – adorned with twinkly lights, fire pits, and lawn games (guests can BYOB up to a 6-pack of cans per person and look forward to a growing on premise beer and alcohol menu)
- A VIP Igloo Garden – a VIP hospitality area featuring six 12-foot-wide heated and furnished igloos
- Fan-Centric Activations – featuring a variety of vintage carnival games with fun, Islanders-themed prizes
- Isles Lab Swag Shack – a pop-up Isles Lab store with Islanders, Stadium Series, and The Park apparel
- Food Trucks – rotating food trucks offering guests a diverse culinary experience
Thomas Hickey stated, “The fresh air and energy of the crowd will create an unforgettable atmosphere for Islanders fans hanging out at The Park as well as our viewers. I can’t wait.”
The Park at UBS Arena will be located at 2400 Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont.
To learn more about upcoming pond hockey tournaments, public skating sessions, and private ice rentals, you can visit their website.