Philly fountain’s frozen second season as Dilworth Park ice skating rink

A new attraction will soon slide in to place at the remodeled Dilworth Park outside Philadelphia City Hall.

As two ice sculptures melted on either side of him, Paul Levy of the Center City District announced that his group will transform the fountain that has been the centerpiece of Dilworth Park into a skating rink for the winter.

“On Oct. 28, we will turn the fountain off for the the season,” he said. “We’ve got to drain and winterize our water system, and then we will begin to install the platform over the fountain and install the rink.”

One of the co-sponsors of the skating rink is the Rothman Institute. Orthopedic surgeon, and Rothman president Dr. Alexander Vaccaro said he looks forward to lacing up his skates.

“We will be here forever with the city, and we will help the community any way we can to make the community a better place to be free of orthopedic injuries,” Vaccaro said.

Facilities to help freeze the ice for the rink were built into Dilworth Park’s design. Skate rentals will cost $8, and admission to the rink will be $4 for adults, $3 for children.

Levy said he’s hoping it will become a major winter attraction in Philadelphia.