Warmer-than-average temperatures prevent town staff from being able to safely condition the lake
Avon, CO – The Town of Avon will not offer ice skating at Harry A. Nottingham Park this year. After recording above-average temperatures this fall and winter, town staff were unable to safely condition the lake ice surface for public use.
Ice measurements taken at the end of January showed only three to four inches of white ice, covered by several inches of snow and slush. Due to ongoing warm weather, ice across the lake remains too thin and unpredictable to support skating or other activities. Town staff urge all community members to keep themselves and their pets off the ice.
“Natural-ice rinks require sustained cold periods in order to create safe and dependable ice. Unfortunately, this year, the weather hasn’t given us the window we need,” said Recreation Director Michael Labagh.
When ice skating was reintroduced on Nottingham Lake in 2020, the Town of Avon established comprehensive safety standards for both the public and Public Operations staff. These standards require a minimum of 10 inches of black ice before opening the rink to the public. Prior to conditioning the ice, at least six inches of consistent depth must be recorded across the full rink area.
During the decade when skating did not take place on the lake, the Town offered temporary rinks on the upper athletic field and the west lawn at the Avon Recreation Center. Due to concerns about long-term turf damage on these heavily used fields, temporary rinks will no longer be used as a standard alternative.
The Town of Avon remains committed to offering ice skating on Nottingham Lake in future years. Staff will continue to track weather patterns and ice depth in order to develop an effective long-term operational plan.
