{"id":68158,"date":"2025-12-12T00:36:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T00:36:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/68158\/"},"modified":"2025-12-12T00:36:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T00:36:14","slug":"a-winter-tradition-vintage-photos-of-the-wwii-veterans-war-memorial-skating-rink-on-staten-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/68158\/","title":{"rendered":"A winter tradition: Vintage photos of the WWII Veterans War Memorial Skating Rink on Staten Island"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"TXVJSQRO3NB3PJUWS7HEPZLM7Q\">Editor\u2019s note: A version of this story was originally published in 2019. It has been updated by Sydney Maldonado.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"JDXQPDODQRHAHOBNCDCDIMTOGM\">STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. &#8212; The temperature outside has been frigid, and you know what that means &#8212; the WWII Veterans War Memorial Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park is back open for business.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"77HYMOA4RJEG7EZDHGZ5JTQE2I\">Each year, Staten Island skating enthusiasts flock to this popular Sunnyside rink to stretch their legs \u2014 and test their balance \u2014 in a unique, picturesque setting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"Z2VBQTDFQBDTXOVPXZRAHKP2U4\">The rink, which first opened in 1970 as the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.silive.com\/entertainment\/2022\/01\/where-staten-island-ice-skates-then-and-now.html#:~:text=These%20days%2C%20much%20of%20the,to%20war%20veterans%20throughout%20history.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">War Memorial Skating Rink<\/a>,\u201d is available for adult and youth lessons, as well as parties and events \u2014 but is worth the trip even just for a few hours of family fun.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"U3PZRHPJ2BHAZMPA5BFLCD3LDQ\">The bubble that for years encased the WWII Veterans Memorial Rink at Clove Lakes Park is no more, and the refurbished facility debuted in 2011.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"TDPYKOGXB5BV5GWFMTC5ROJVF4\">The rink typically opens in mid-November each year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"ZGMLXQS6X5G4LED6DLU27INYCM\">Scroll for more vintage photos.<\/p>\n<p>1971<img fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1971 Press Photo Ice Skaters at War Memorial Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park\" class=\"article__image-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WHCE7J72OVGW5J65TVGIA7OUWE.JPG\"  \/>Young and old alike enjoy the War Memorial Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park.Staten Island Advance1974<img fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1974 Press Photo War Memorial Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park\" class=\"article__image-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/QDBOKZVJKFFDHOBQSVA6HA43VE.JPG\"  \/>A view of the War Memorial Skating Rink in 1974.Staten Island Advance<img fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1974 Press Photo Ice skaters at War Memorial Skating Rink, Clove Lakes Park\" class=\"article__image-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/V7UFLB7NYJBW3CUSVVYN574S7M.JPG\"  \/>Skaters enjoy night skating in 1974.Staten Island Advance1977<img fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1977 Press Photo Snowy Backdrop for Ice Skaters at War Memorial Skating Rink\" class=\"article__image-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FUSGEO6EDZDSHG7J2OW55DKG3A.JPG\"  \/>Vintage photo from 1977.Staten Island Advance1980<img fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1980 Press Photo Ken Lorentzen Skating at War Memorial Rink in Clove Lakes Park\" class=\"article__image-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/OZKRKU5L6NGSBLXUK4KALJX7XA.JPG\"  \/>Young Ken Lorentzen takes a turn around the ice in 1980 with one hand behind his back.Staten Island Advance<img fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1980 Press Photo Ice skaters at War Memorial Skating Rink, Clove Lakes Park\" class=\"article__image-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IO467TPDKRBZ5PF3PZF7J3AZLM.JPG\"  \/>Youngsters have a ball at the rink in 1980.Staten Island Advance1982<img fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1982 Press Photo Ice skaters at War Memorial Skating Rink, Clove Lakes Park\" class=\"article__image-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/VXMFW7D6PNAFPAOKLIXQWCLEZY.JPG\"  \/>As winter wanes&#8230;The War Memorial Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park was filled with skaters, taking advantage of mile temperatures. Highs today should approach 50 degrees, with rain moving into the area by tomorrow night.Staten Island Advance1987<img fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1987 Press Photo Ice Skaters at War Memorial Skating Rink at Clove Lakes Park\" class=\"article__image-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IARNSB7EB5DZPFTKCXPDNNTOYU.JPG\"  \/>Skaters at War Memorial Skating Rink at Clove Lakes Park in 1987.Staten Island Advance1992<img fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1992 Press Photo Ice Skaters at War Memorial Skating Rink in Cloves Lake Park\" class=\"article__image-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/L36W4J33KVHEVF7AUAMOEKM7PI.JPG\"  \/>Skaters in 1992.Staten Island Advance<img fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1992 Press Photo Fabric Bubble Out for Inflation at War Memorial Skating Rink\" class=\"article__image-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/VCYPZLQLBNCP5A32CMMLYQRAQU.JPG\"  \/>The bubble at War Memorial Skating Rink is prepared for inflation in 1992.<\/p>\n<p>Staten Island Advance<img fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1992 Press Photo Bubble Covering War Memorial Skating Rink\" class=\"article__image-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/KICYJZFEONCATJXAG5USRJXHT4.JPG\"  \/>Workers inflated the bubble in 1992.Staten Island Advance1993<img fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1993 Press Photo War Memorial Skating Rink Bubble Collapse When Winds Cause Hole\" class=\"article__image-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SDKDSPKVVFCVXPPGGDL74FDYMY.JPG\"  \/>In 1993, the War Memorial Skating Rink bubble collapsed due to high winds that ripped a 100-foot hole in the structure.Staten Island Advance<img fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1993 Press Photo New Skating Season Under Bubble at War Memorial Skating Rink\" class=\"article__image-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/RLS4O6VSJFH2TCQNINTPUYJFQY.JPG\"  \/>A newly-repaired bubble in 1993.Staten Island Advance2001<img fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"2001 Press Photo Ice Skaters at War Memorial Skating Rink at Clove Lakes Park\" class=\"article__image-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/VEWT4NVQ6ZBNDFBZHPMABJU5XM.jpg\"  \/>Brian Pisano of Castleton Corners, and Daniel Quattrocchi of Prince&#8217;s Bay glide along the ice in 2001.Staten Island Advance<img fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"2001 Press Photo Ice Skaters at War Memorial Skating Rink at Clove Lakes Park\" class=\"article__image-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GTWDTGNTSBHPRMBUO5Y5S5GHKU.jpg\"  \/>Mario Valenti of Graniteville and his 5-year old son Matthew enjoy a visit to the War Memorial Skating Rink in 2001.Staten Island Advance2005<img fetchpriority=\"low\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"2005 Press Photo Ice Skaters at War Memorial Skating Rink at Clove Lakes Park\" class=\"article__image-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AMDY7YPSPRDDRMBK5DRBJQ7JIY.jpg\"  \/>Jordan Darden, 7, and his brother, Evan, 14, of West Brighton, try out their skates in 2005.STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Editor\u2019s note: A version of this story was originally published in 2019. It has been updated by Sydney&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":68159,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[35383,9,24,63,134,136,135],"class_list":{"0":"post-68158","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-staten-island","8":"tag-guide-2001","9":"tag-new-york","10":"tag-new-york-city","11":"tag-nyc","12":"tag-staten-island","13":"tag-staten-island-headlines","14":"tag-staten-island-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68158"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68158\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}