It was hardly surprising that the sale of bicycles skyrocketed during the pandemic. Afterall, the only “safe” activities back then involved outdoor pursuits. It follows that other outdoor pastimes, such as skateboarding, roller blading, and old-fashioned roller skating would also be popular.
But trying to find a bike or a pair of roller skates at the height of the pandemic was like finding a needle in a haystack.
“Just before the pandemic hit, I had a feeling that roller skating was going to boom again,” said Jonathan VanBuren, owner and operator of Hyde Park Roller Magic, which offers public skate sessions, parties and hosts roller derby.
“I noticed during the quarantine a lot of people were going to the Walkway (Over the Hudson) to skate, and even though we were closed, we had a lot of calls on the answering machine asking to buy skates.”
Popularized in the 1950s, then again in the 70s and 80s, roller skating is definitely seeing a resurgence.
VanBuren visited a popular skate shop in Manhattan just before the pandemic and was already seeing an uptick in beginners and new skaters. His optimism continued to grow as Hyde Park Roller Magic starting receiving more and more calls about purchasing skates.
“People just wanted to do things,” he said. “It gave me hope for when we re-opened because I noticed that people were looking for new ways to exercise and for fun things to do.”
There have been a few bumps for Roller Magic: During the pandemic, the roller rink flooded, a water main broke in their parking lot and the HVAC system broke down, but VanBuren rose above the challenges and was able to reopen.
He attributes his success to the new demand for places to skate and his loyal following.
“It because of the growing popularity and the loyalty of the people who come here,” VanBuren said. “I couldn’t be more grateful for their support. People coming out for years came back and that’s what kept us going.”
If you want to put on some “quads” and give roller skating a try, there are outdoor rails around the Hudson Valley that allow roller skating and blading, and some municipalities offer rinks for residents. There are also a few old-school roller rinks like Roller Magic to be found, too. Know one not listed here? Email Heather Clark, hclark@poughkeepsiejournal.com
Michael Geary Memorial Roller Hockey Rink, Mahopac
The Michael Geary Memorial Roller Hockey Rink is open to the public when not in use by teams who have reserved time. However, the rink is technically for Town of Carmel residents. Roller hockey teams who have not reserved the rink may not use the rink.
Go: 740 US-6, Mahopac; 845-628-7888; ci.carmel.ny.us/recreation-parks/pages/parks.
The Castle Fun Center, Chester
Aside from the laser tag, go karts and an arcade, The Castle Fun Center also has a 10,000 square foot roller rink.
Current sessions are Monday through Wednesday 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., 4 to 6 p.m., and 7 to 9 p.m.; Sunday 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. On Saturdays at 12:45 p.m., The Castle Fun Center offers beginner skate lessons, which are free with the purchase of 1:30 p.m. skate session tickets.
Tickets are $10 per person age 7 and older and $7 for children 6 and younger. To rent roller skates or blades, there is a $4 fee.
Go: 109 Brookside Ave., Chester; 845-469-2116; thecastlefuncenter.com.
Hyde Park Roller Magic
Masks are no longer mandatory at the roller rink, but those who are not vaccinated are asked to continue practicing social distancing and mask wearing protocols.
Current sessions are: Wednesday 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.; Friday 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday 1 to 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 to 11 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $10 per person per session and skate rentals are $5 per pair. Those who don’t wish to partake in skating can spectate for a fee, $10 for those under 18 and $5 for those over 18.
Hyde Park Roller Magic has also started walking lessons on Saturdays beginning at 10 a.m. for any skill level. On Sundays from 5 to 8 pm. the rink will host advance skating clinics. Birthday parties will also be offered again.
Go: 4178 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park; 845-229-6666; hprollermagic@gmail.com; hydeparkrollermagic.com.
Wood’n Wheel, Ulster Park
The Ulster Park roller rink is currently operating under summer hours. Thru Sept. 10 skating is available on Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. for $8 skating and Saturday from 12:30 to 5 p.m. for $8 as well as 6:30 to 9 p.m. for $9. The Saturday 12:30 to 5 p.m. session is a “flex” session which provides skaters with a wristband that allows them to skate for two and a half hours.
Skate rentals for quad skates or inline skates are $4 per pair. A “Skate Mate Trainer” is available for rent for $4 with a $10 deposit. The rink is also available for private events. Guests are asked to sign a waiver on the Wood’n Wheel website.
Go: 365 Route 9W, Ulster Park; 845-331-9680; woodnwheel.com.
Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, Manhattan
This 28-acre multi-level landscaped New York State Park rises 69 feet above the Hudson River and offers an Olympic-size pool, an 800-seat cultural theater, a 2,500-seat athletic complex with fitness room, and a 150-seat restaurant, as well as a covered skating rink for roller skating in the summer.
Go: Open daily dawn to dusk. Roller skating admission is $1.50; skate rentals are $6 a day. 679 Riverside Drive, Manhattan. parks.ny.gov/parks/93
Roller-Ama, TWA Hotel
The TWA Hotel at JFK Airport’s Terminal 5 is one heck of a ride.
The structure — what had been the original 1962 Trans World Airlines terminal, now meticulously refurbished — is part modern hotel, part retro museum, part time warp airport lounge, part modern day food court, and all around Instagram cat nip. And did mention, during the summer there’s The Runway Rink, a 44-by-56-foot outdoor rink that wends around the hotel’s “Connie” airplane.
Go: Open weekends (weather permitting) for 50-minute sessions, 4-8 p.m. Fridays, noon-8 p.m. Saturday and Sundays. Tickets are first come, first served. $20 per adult and $16 per child (under 12) with skate rentals included. TWA Hotel is near JetBlue at Terminal 5 at JFK Airport, twahotel.com/runway-rink
Heather Clark covers business openings and closings throughout Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties. Keep up on the latest comings and goings by joining our Facebook group at What’s going there Westchester, Rockland, Putnam. Contact Clark via email, hclark@lohud.com.
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