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The outdoor skating rink in Central Commons Park has opened for the season. On-site skate rentals are now available.

Central Commons Park

Central Commons Park is open all year-round featuring a variety of amenities for the public to enjoy. Skating rink is open for the season! 

 

PARK HOURS OF OPERATION

Days: Monday to Sunday

Hours: 8 am to 10 pm

Season: Open all year round.

GENERAL INFORMATION & FEATURES

  • Open to the public.
  • Dog-friendly.
  • Public washrooms.
  • Picnic areas.
  • Skating rink during select months.
  • Splash pad during select months.
  • Fire features during select months.
  • Briquette-fuelled BBQs during select months.
  • Skateboards permitted.
  • Bicycles permitted.
  • Scooters permitted.

Central Commons Park Map

Map
BBQs
Splash Pad
Seasonal Ice Rink
Public Washrooms
Fire Features
Picnic Tables
Tables
Pavilions
Bike Racks
Underground Parkade
Pedestrian Parkade Access
Art Installation

Enjoy this three-acre park with a seasonal splash pad and ice rink, barbeque and picnic stations, and fire features offering plenty of opportunities to connect, play, relax and gather together. Interact with the map to explore what the park has to offer.

Features

Amenities

Supervision is not provided. University District does not accept responsibility for any loss or injuries from use of this facility.

The park, ice rink, and splash pad may be closed at any time without notice due to weather, maintenance, equipment repair, or other operational concerns.

DOGS

  • Central Commons Park is dog-friendly.
  • Dogs must remain on leash at all times.
  • Please be respectful and pick up after your pets.

ALCOHOL

  • Alcohol is not permitted in Central Commons Park.

PICNIC AREAS

  • Picnic areas are available on a first-come first-served basis.
  • Tables, benches and covered areas are available throughout the park.

OUTDOOR ICE RINK


  • The ice rink is available for public use. Please use at your own risk.
  • Permitted equipment:
    • Ice skating training aids may be used on the ice surface.
    • Ice skates (figure skates and hockey skates).
    • Helmets (mandatory).
  • Prohibited equipment:
    • Hockey sticks, pucks and nets.
    • Toboggans
    • Sleds
  • Please do not carry children while skating.
  • Animals are not permitted on the ice surface.
  • Please enjoy food or drink away from the ice surface.

RENTALS


New for the 2024/25 season

Skates, skating aids and helmets for children and adults are now available for rental on site in Central Commons Park from the Skate Hut. Ice skates are available from toddler size 7 to men’s size 16 and everything in between. Conveniently located next to the rink.

Stay tuned for opening details.

Regular Hours:
Thursday and Friday: 4 to 9 pm
Saturday: 2 to 9 pm
Sunday: 2 to 7 pm
Holiday Hours:
Christmas Break (including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day): 11 am to 9 pm daily.

*Operating schedule may be impacted by weather.

ADDITIONAL ICE RINK INFORMATION

OUTDOOR ICE RINK HOURS OF OPERATION

Days: Monday to Sunday

Hours: 8 am to 10 pm

Season: December to late March (weather permitting) 

The ice rink is cleared multiple times throughout the day for approximately 10 minutes each time. Access to the ice rink during these times is restricted for your safety.

BARBEQUES


  • There are three briquette-fuelled BBQ’s throughout the park for public use.
  • BBQ’s are on a first-come first-served basis and may be used at your own risk.
  • BBQ’s are cast iron, charcoal briquette-fuelled units with a lid. Wood is not permitted.
  • Guests are required to supply their own briquettes, oven mitts and BBQ tools.
  • Charcoal lighting fluid can be used, but please allow the fluid to settle for a few minutes for explosive vapours to dissipate.
  • Do not use gasoline to ignite briquettes.
  • Please clean the BBQ’s when you are done so others may enjoy them.

ADDITIONAL BBQ INFORMATION

HOW TO USE BBQS

Step 1: Open the BBQ with oven mitt, grasp handle on right-hand side to lift lid into locking position. 

Step 2: Inspect the BBQ for dirt and debris and clean out any coals left from previous user. Dispose of cooled briquettes into the dedicated ash bins located at each site using the provided scoop.

Step 3: Arrange briquettes into a pyramid shape inside BBQ.



Step 4: Use charcoal lighting fluid to coat the top of the briquettes. 

Step 5: Light the briquettes. 

Step 6: The briquettes are ready when they turn an ashy grey colour.  

Step 7: Use oven mitt to grasp the handle and disengage the locking mechanism to lower the lid.

IMPORTANT BBQ SAFETY TIPS
  • Do not spray any igniting fluid onto the hot coals. Doing so may cause a dangerous and explosive situation.
  • Safely dispose briquettes in the designated areas. Hot briquettes can cause a fire. Ensure hot briquettes are fully extinguished before you dispose of them.
  • Do not leave BBQ and hot briquettes unsupervised or prop anything against the BBQ.
  • Never fight a grease fire with water. 
  • If you do burn yourself, run the affected area under cool water for five minutes. If your burn is serious (charring, blistering) seek medical attention right away.

WATER FEATURE SPLASH PAD


  • Open to all ages. 
  • Animals are not permitted in the water feature, with the exception of service animals.

 

WATER FEATURE SPLASH PAD HOURS OF OPERATION

Days: Monday to Sunday
Hours: 8 am to 10 pm
Season: June to early September (weather permitting)

ADDITIONAL SPLASH PAD INFORMATION

SPLASH PAD SAFETY RULES
  • DO NOT DRINK THE WATER. This fountain uses recirculated treated water.
  • This area is unsupervised. No lifeguard on duty. Use at your own risk.
  • No glass or breakable objects are allowed in the splash pad area or in other bare feet areas.
  • No street shoes may be worn in the splash pad.
  • University District is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.
  • It is recommended that children under 13 years of age be supervised.
  • Running, roughness, horseplay, or other undue disturbances are strictly prohibited.
  • No food or beverages of any kind are allowed in the splash pad area.
  • Children who are not toilet trained, or anyone who is or may be incontinent, must wear water resistant swimwear.
  • The splash pad is for recreation purposes only. Bathing is not permitted.
  • No skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles, or scooters are allowed in the splash pad area.

PUBLIC WASHROOMS


Accessible public washrooms are available on the east end of the park.


PUBLIC WASHROOMS HOURS OF OPERATION

Days: Monday to Sunday
Hours: 11 am to 10 pm
Season: Open year-round

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Reimagine Park Life and Play Time

10 ways to make the most of Central Commons Park this summer.

Learn more about Homes by Avi's third project in U/D. Just steps away from Central Commons Park.

Here at University District, we believe in the importance of play for all ages and abilities and the excitement and magic that comes along with it. Our Northwest Commons Park is ready to welcome and inspire a new concept of outdoor play. It’s also a Playcore National Demonstration Site for inclusive play and is award wining for universal design.

Explore Central Commons Park

10 ways to make the most of Central Commons Park this summer.

Fall in Love with Autumn

Learn more about Homes by Avi's third project in U/D. Just steps away from Central Commons Park.

Reimagine Park Life and Play Time

Here at University District, we believe in the importance of play for all ages and abilities and the excitement and magic that comes along with it. Our Northwest Commons Park is ready to welcome and inspire a new concept of outdoor play. It’s also a Playcore National Demonstration Site for inclusive play and is award wining for universal design.