A Fort Worth Holiday Tradition Safely Returns

It has taken scientists years to agree on just how the thin metal blade of an ice skate so smoothly slides along the top layer of ice. Everyone can agree that the process provides a joyful motion available to all ages.

Photo courtesy of Panther Island Ice

For the eighth consecutive year, Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) will set up Panther Island Ice – a temporary outdoor ice rink located at Coyote Drive-In – through January 18th, 2021. The rink will be open seven days a week, including holidays, so there will be plenty of opportunities for folks to get out and enjoy the ice.

With winter steadily approaching and COVID creating added challenges for families trying to find activities, ice skating at the outdoor rink is a perfect alternative that appeals to everyone.

One of Fort Worth’s favorite holiday traditions has returned. Organizers will uphold fully established health and safety protocols, including a limited number of skaters on the ice and social distancing in the changing areas. Also, they will provide hand sanitizer and require masks.

Patrons will only be able to buy tickets online to secure a 75-minute slot of skating time on the ice. The Panther Island Ice website has information on all calendar and purchasing options: www.pantherislandice.com. Proceeds from Panther Island Ice benefit Trinity River recreation and programming on Panther Island brought to you by TRWD. Tickets include ice skate rentals, and staff will be on hand to provide the best possible experience.

Photo courtesy of Panther Island Ice

These extra precautions will reduce in-person contact with staff and allow for fewer people on the ice at any given time. With this in mind, patrons are encouraged to plan ahead and possibly seek off-peak reservation times during the week. The weekend slots will fill up quickly.

The ice they make is real, located beneath a large covered pavilion. The team creates the rink using a 200-ton chiller and a generator. Once that team has leveled the ground, they set the pipes and freeze layers of ice upon them.

Ice skating participants do not need to purchase movie tickets to utilize the ice and the amenities provided by Coyote Drive-in. However, skating and a movie could make for a lovely date night. You can always check their website for a listing of the films they will be screening through the holiday season, https://coyotedrive-in.com/fortworth/.

Patrons will have access to all of Coyote Drive-In’s features, including ample free parking, gas heaters, and covered seating. The Canteen will be open for business with a wide variety of food, including pizza, burgers, nachos, and sweets. They also offer an extensive selection of beer and wine options, which could be ideal for parents who prefer to watch their skaters from the sidelines.

Photo courtesy of Panther Island Ice

Panther Island Ice offers discounts as well. Group rates are available for groups of 15 or more skaters. There is also an option to rent out the ice rink for bigger groups privately. There are also military discounts available to active duty personnel, guard, reservists, veterans, and their families along with a Tarleton State University discount for students and faculty. Check the website for more details on pricing.

An Austin native, Lyle Brooks relocated to Fort Worth in order to immerse himself in the burgeoning music scene and the city’s rich cultural history, which has allowed him to cover everything from Free Jazz to folk singers. He’s collaborated as a ghostwriter on projects focusing on Health Optimization, Roman Lawyers, and an assortment of intriguing subjects requiring his research.