The Park at UBS Arena hosts grand opening

Islanders fans and members of the Elmont community all gathered at UBS Arena’s The Park on Dec. 29 for the grand opening of two new ice rinks in Elmont.

There are two new community skating rinks at The Park at UBS Arena: the Northwell Pond and the UBS Pond. The rinks are open weekdays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 1:30 p.m.

“This is a way to get more people interested in physical activity and hockey and be an asset to the community at large,” said Mike Dowling, chief executive of Northwell Health.

Dowling said that outdoor physical activity is an integral part of the organization’s goal of enhancing health. He said Northwell can work with kids and high schools to bring them out to the rinks at The Park.

“When you start something like this, it generates more activity,” Dowling said. “So you can’t even imagine what will be here five years from now.”

This aplies to The Park in general. It boasts several carnival games like water balloon racing and a dunk tank. Fires are lit around the seating areas for people to warm themselves up.

There’s a field of picnic tables and several geometric igloos for families and friends to enjoy hanging out in before an Islanders game or between ice skating sessions. A rotating cast of food trucks and a bar are open for people to grab a bite to eat or a drink to sip on at the outdoor venue.

The Park also has a merchandise depot, where Hall of Famers Denis Potvin and Billy Smith were signed merchandise on Dec. 29 during the grand opening ceremony on Dec. 29.

“They want to create a community atmosphere,” Potvin said. “The Park is amazing for that. It’s open every day. It’s a great way to involve a community of all ages to be part of what the Islanders are ready to do.”

Islanders operating partner John Collins is also very proud of what has been built at The Park.

“It’s a great opportunity to really get together and hopefully elevate the game and let the community embrace hockey and also embrace the Belmont Park campus,” Collins said.

“We’re introducing more individuals in the local community that might not want to get out on the ice or might not have had access before,” Anneliese Mesilati of UBS Arena said. “For us to be able to offer that is fantastic.”

The night of the opening, the Fire Deartment of New York Emerald Society Pipes and Drums played during the ceremonial puck drop. Senators, legislators and Islanders officials crowded the blue carpet at the UBS Pond to watch Potvin and Smith fight over the puck at the drop.

But not everyone is happy about the changes. Mimi Pierre-Johnson, a community leader, feels that the Arena hasn’t done enough to help out and integrate with the surrounding community of Elmont, and The Park will be no different.

“The Arena needs to look deeper into real community partnership that has more impactful benefits for all the residents, particularly Elmont, which is most affected by traffic,” Pierre-Johnson said.

She has some ideas for ways the new installment could connect with the community, and she said that’s just the start of it.

“An invitation should be sent out to the residents with one free parking or shoe rental,” Pierre-Johnson said. “Engagement seems to be an afterthought after decisions are made.”

Yet, some people are excited about the new developments.

“The Park is an amazing and beautiful use of outdoor space at Belmont Park,” said Simmonie Swaby, who took her daughter for ice skating lessons at The Park.