You’ve probably driven past it a thousand times if you live anywhere near Massapequa. That low-slung, familiar silhouette of Marjorie R. Post Community Park sits right at the corner of Unqua and Merrick Roads. In the summer, it's all about the diving boards and the smell of chlorine. But when the temperature drops, the vibe changes completely. Honestly, there is something kinda magical about the transition when the town officially opens the Marjorie Post ice rink.
It’s one of those local institutions that everyone "knows" about, but nobody seems to have the full story on until they're actually standing there, shivering, trying to remember if they need a Leisure Pass to get the good rate.
The Reality of the Ice at Marjorie Post
Let’s be real for a second. Outdoor skating on Long Island is a gamble. You aren't in the middle of a Vermont pond; you're in a suburban park. But the Town of Oyster Bay does a surprisingly good job of keeping this place feeling like a genuine winter escape. The Marjorie Post ice rink isn't an indoor arena where the air is stagnant and smells like a locker room. It’s open-air. You feel the wind. You see the sky.
If you’re looking for the 2025–2026 season dates, the town usually sticks to a very specific script. The rink traditionally opens the day after Thanksgiving. This year, that was November 28th. It stays alive through the brutal parts of January and typically wraps things up on Sunday, March 1st.
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Small window? Maybe.
But it’s the timing that matters. There is a specific kind of nostalgia that hits when you’re skating under the lights on a Friday night in December. It feels like a movie set, even if you’re just a few hundred yards away from a Shopping Center.
Why the "Outdoor" Label is a Bit of a Lie
Okay, "lie" is a strong word. But here is the thing: many people expect a frozen puddle. This is a professional-grade refrigerated facility. Even when we get those weird 50-degree "January Thaw" days that mess with everyone’s sinuses, the ice usually holds up. The cooling system under the slab is a workhorse.
That said, if it’s raining? Forget it. Don't be that person who drives all the way down Unqua Road in a downpour expecting to skate. The town is pretty quick to call a "Rain Date" and shut the sessions down if the surface gets sloppy. Safety first, but also, nobody wants to skate through a giant slushie.
The Cost of Admission: Residents vs. The Rest
Here is where people get confused. The Town of Oyster Bay is very protective of its parks. If you have a Leisure Pass, you're golden. If you don't? Well, you're going to pay a "convenience fee" (translation: more money) to use the ice.
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Basically, it breaks down like this for the 2026 season:
If you're an adult resident with a pass, you're looking at about $8 per session. Without the pass? It jumps to $12. For the kids—aged 5 to 17—it's $7 for residents and $10 for everyone else. Seniors and veterans get a bit of a break at $5.
Oh, and the skate rental. It’s a flat $6 across the board.
Pro Tip: If you're planning on going more than once, just buy the discount book. You can get 10 admissions for a chunk of change that actually saves you money by the third or fourth visit. They offer these specifically for the outdoor rinks at Marjorie Post and Syosset-Woodbury. Just don't lose the book in your glove box.
The Schedule is Not "Open All Day"
This is the biggest mistake newcomers make. You can't just show up at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday and expect to hop on the ice. The Marjorie Post ice rink operates in strict blocks. These "Public Sessions" are usually two hours long.
A typical weekend looks like this:
- Session 1: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Session 2: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Session 3 (Friday/Saturday only): 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
During the week? It’s a ghost town. The rink is generally closed for public skating Monday through Thursday so they can run youth hockey programs or private rentals. However, they always break this rule for holidays. Martin Luther King Jr. Day just passed on January 19th, and they ran special 1-3 PM and 4-6 PM sessions for the kids who were off school.
What it’s Actually Like on the Ice
Let's talk atmosphere.
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If you go during a Friday night session, expect chaos. It’s the local teenage hangout. It’s loud, there’s a lot of stumbling, and the "Center Ice Café" is usually packed with people trying to get cocoa. If you’re a serious figure skater trying to practice your Lutz, this is not your time.
However, if you hit the 1:00 PM session on a Sunday? It’s a different world. You get families, toddlers in those "walker" helpers, and old-timers who still have their original leather skates from 1974.
The ice itself is decent. They Zamboni between every session, so the first 20 minutes are glorious. By the end of the two hours, though, it gets "snowy." If you’re a beginner, that’s actually better—it's less slippery.
Learning to Skate Without Dying
If you’re a "wall-clinger," you aren't alone. The rink does offer lessons, though most of the formal "Learn to Skate" programs for the Town of Oyster Bay are centralized at the indoor Bethpage rink. Still, Marjorie Post is a great place to learn because the stakes feel lower.
There's something less intimidating about falling down when you're outdoors. Maybe it's because you can blame the wind.
The Neighborhood Factor
What makes the Marjorie Post ice rink better than, say, going to Rockefeller Center?
Parking.
You pull in, you park for free, and you walk fifty feet. It’s Massapequa life at its finest. Plus, when you’re done, you aren't stuck in Manhattan traffic. You’re five minutes away from All-American Hamburger Drive-In or a slice of pizza. That’s the real Long Island winter experience.
It’s worth noting that the park isn't just a rink. It’s 42 acres of land. Even in January, the walking paths around the lake are pretty nice if you need to warm up your legs after being on the ice.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
Don't just wing it. If you want to actually enjoy your time at the Marjorie Post ice rink, follow this checklist:
- Check the Weather: If it’s above 50 degrees or raining, call the rink office at (516) 797-7990 before you leave the house. They are usually pretty good about answering.
- Bring Thick Socks: This sounds obvious, but rental skates are notoriously uncomfortable. A pair of wool socks can be the difference between a fun afternoon and a week of blisters.
- Validate Your Residency: If you live in the Town of Oyster Bay, bring your Leisure Pass or a driver's license. The staff is strict about the pricing tiers.
- Arrive 20 Minutes Early: Sessions are only two hours. If you spend 30 minutes in the rental line, you’ve wasted a quarter of your ice time.
- Hit the Cafe Early: If you want hot chocolate, get it 15 minutes before the session ends. The line at the very end is always a nightmare.
This rink is a staple for a reason. It isn't fancy, and it isn't revolutionary. It's just a solid, cold, outdoor place to spend an afternoon without breaking the bank. Whether you're there to actually skate or just to watch your kids fall over while you drink coffee, it’s one of the best ways to tolerate a Long Island winter.