20 more vintage photos of Staten Island’s WWII Veterans War Memorial Skating Rink

Time CapsulePublished: Jan. 01, 2026, 8:00 a.m.Skaters take advantage of the last day of day of the season at the Clove Lakes War Memorial Skating Rink in 1971.Staten Island Advance

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — For decades, the WWII Veterans War Memorial Skating Rink in Cloves Lake Park has been a cherished spot where Staten Island skaters have made memories on ice.

The rink first opened in 1970 as the “War Memorial Skating Rink.” Each year around mid-November, it reopens to welcome skaters for the season.

Visitors can practice their skills, learn new techniques and sign up for adult or youth ice-skating lessons. The facility also hosts birthday parties and private events.

Scroll down for more vintage photos of the rink.

1967Local officials participated the in groundbreaking ceremonies in Clove Lakes Park to mark the construction of the War Memorial ice skating rink in 1967.Staten Island AdvanceTwo young cyclists viewed the section of Clove Lakes Park where construction began on the new War Memorial Ice Skating Rink.Staten Island Advance1968Construction of the War Memorial Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park in 1968.Staten Island Advance1969Construction being done to create the War Memorial Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park in 1969.Staten Island Advance1970“Easy does it,” big brother John Orphanos, 4 1/2, of Dongan Hills, and his sister Dana Lynn, 3, skating together in 1970.Staten Island Advance1972Park Department foremen Joseph Curran examining the War Memorial Ice Skating Rink in 1972.Staten Island Advance1974Skaters Enjoy War Memorial Skating Rink at Clove Lakes Park in 1974.Staten Island Advance1976Ice skaters enjoy night skating at War Memorial Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park in 1976.Staten Island Advance1980Ice skaters at War Memorial Ice Skating Rink at Clove Lakes Park in 1980.Staten Island AdvanceIce Skaters at War Memorial Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park in 1980.Staten Island Advance1981Members of the Starettes perform at the War Memorial Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park in 1981.Staten Island Advance1982Ice skaters at War Memorial Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park in 1982.Staten Island Advance1983Ice skaters at War Memorial Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park in 1983.Staten Island Advance1984Children skating at the War Memorial rink in Clove Lakes Park in 1984.Staten Island Advance1989The new center adjoining the site of the War Memorial Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park began taking shape in 1989.Staten Island Advance1993The War Memorial Skating Rink’s bubble, located at Cloves Lakes Park in 1993.Staten Island Advance2005West Brightonite Evan Darden, 13, skates with his brother, Jordan Darden, 7, as their father, Bobbie Darden, looks at the War Memorial Ice Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park in 2005.STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE2006Regina Nikosey, 14, Anthony DeMatteo, 8, MariElena DeMatteo 14, Farrah DeRoss 6, and Nicolette DeMatteo, 14 skating at War Memorial Skating Rink in 2006.Jan Somma-Hammel2008The World War II Veterans War Memorial Ice Skating Rink bubble at Clove Lakes Park in 2008.STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

I am a Brooklyn native and news intern at the Staten Island Advance. I recently graduated from Baruch College with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in journalism.