Forest skate trail opens in Mactaquac, N.B.

The Forest Skate Trail in Mactaquac Provincial Park is open to the public, taking skaters through hundreds of metres of groomed frozen trails.

There is no shortage of activities to take part in no matter what time of year you visit Mactaquac Provincial Park, and starting this past weekend there is another popular attraction to add to the list.

The park’s Forest Skate Trail is open to the public, taking skaters through hundreds of metres of groomed frozen trails through the forest.

Skaters travel from near and far to experience the forest trail. Owen Jones made the hour and half drive from Saint Andrews, N.B., with his wife and kids after years of wanting to try it.

“We’ve been here about ten years, and we heard about this trail, but we’ve never done it,” Jones admits. “I want to come back next year, maybe bring some friends, but it’s great for the kids.”

“I think it’s a great family activity,” says skater Chris Adams. “I don’t really know of anywhere else that does this.”

The trail welcomes skaters of all levels. It also encourages the use of strollers to allow even those who aren’t ready to get on skates to see the trails firsthand.

“You can’t really bring these (strollers) on the arena,” Jones says. “So it’s nice to get them out on the ice.”

There are benches set up through the skating trail for those needing a break, and a small warming shelter at the tracks start for skaters to warm up and get their skates on/off.

“It’s nice to be able to skate outdoors,” says young skater Lily West. “There were a few bumps, but it was still really nice.”

Not everyone minds the few bumps on an otherwise smooth trail.

“I like the bumpy part,” a young Rosealie Froese told CTV Atlantic when asked about her favorite part of the trail.

Skate rentals are not available on site, but there are helmets available free of charge for skaters who would like to wear one.

Next weekend on Feb. 1, the trail will host a “Winter Forest Escape” as part of ongoing Frostival celebrations happening around Fredericton.

The trail is open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, and 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

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