Glass City Welcomes 50,000 Ice Skaters in its First Season
One Weekend Left to Enjoy The Ribbon
The Ribbon at Glass City Metropark exceeded expectations in its first season of ice skating, welcoming 50,000 skaters since mid-November, with one weekend to go.
The inaugural ice skating season on the 1,000-foot-long ice trail, The Ribbon, began November 10. Since then the park has seen more than 100,000 visitors, and last weekend the 50,000th ice skater took to the ice. That’s an average of just under 500 skaters per day.
"Glass City is now a hub of winter activity," said Mike Keedy, director of enterprise development for Metroparks Toledo. "The enthusiasm for ice skating has been palpable."
Of the 108 days since opening, The Ribbon was open 104 days, closing only for Christmas and Thanksgiving, and two other days because of inclement weather. The ice skating surface remained open through temperatures ranging from well below freezing to unseasonably warm, 60-degree-plus days.
A restaurant, The Garden by Poco Piatti, had a record-setting month in December, surpassing even the busy summer months at the peak of Glass City Metropark’s attendance. The new, fast casual concept by a well-known local restaurant operator provided hospitality services to support the ice skating ribbon and group gatherings.
Photo: The Krajacic family of Maumee put The Ribbon over the top last weekend – 50,000 skaters since the ice skating season opened November 10. That’s an average of just under 500 skaters a day. The inaugural ice season comes to an end March 3. Pictured: Nick and Tia Krajacic and their children, Otto and Ovie
Open Through March 3
The Ribbon is open through this Sunday then closes for several weeks to prepare for roller skating season beginning in April. Tickets for ice skating can be purchased at metroparkstoledo.com/theribbon. There is no charge for roller skating, but classic and in-line skates will be available for rent. The Garden restaurant is open year round.
Highlights of the Season
- There were more than 900 group reservations in the Cabana Village and The Garden Winter Patio
- Two sessions of five-week long learn-to-skate programs sold out
- With support from the Metroparks Toledo Foundation and Signature Bank, a new Gift Ribbon program provided low-cost or no-cost admission for hundreds of individuals, ensuring that everyone had the opportunity to experience ice skating
- The Ribbon hosted public skate session with the Toledo Walleye and Bowling Green State University hockey teams, as well as a wide range of special events, from holiday parties to college campus outings to character meet-and-greets
- Four Glow Skate events sold out, with over 2,500 participants enjoying a unique skating experience under neon lights
- During the holiday season, with the addition of holiday decorations, The Ribbon offered expanded skate times every day for three weeks, welcoming more than 20,000 skaters
- The Ribbon hosted fundraisers for local initiatives such as the Luken T. Boyle Campaign for Kindness, raising thousands of dollars for worthy causes