Want a backyard-style rink in your Burlington park? Neighbourhood rink applications are due Dec. 1
Burlington's volunteer-run neighbourhood rink program is taking applications for winter 2027 until December 1. The City is also offering free and pay-what-you-can weekday community rooms, and Santa Claus Parade entries close October 16.
The details
Neighbourhood rinks
The City of Burlington's Cogeco Neighbourhood Rink Program lets residents run a free outdoor skating rink in a City-owned park. Applications for winter 2027 are open until December 1, 2026, through an online form on the City's website. The rinks are unsupervised and natural, and the City says the season usually runs from January to March, depending on the weather.
- A team of at least six adults (one lead plus five or more local residents over 18); complete training; supply water where the park has no City source; build, flood and inspect the rink daily; store the liner off-season.
- Approves the site; trains volunteers; covers liability insurance when the agreement is followed; provides hose, liner, perimeter boards, a picnic table and rules and open/closed signs.
- Skating only, no hockey; helmets recommended; any lighting must be City-approved, temporary and removed by 10 p.m.
The City says it installs boards and picnic tables at approved sites in December or January, and recommends building ice over several days of consistently cold weather, around minus 5 degrees Celsius.
Free and pay-what-you-can rooms
From September to June, the community rooms at Alton, Brant Hills and Tansley Woods community centres can be used for free or for what you can pay during non-prime hours, generally Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can walk in and use an available room for free for up to 90 minutes, or book up to seven days ahead and pay any amount plus a minimum insurance fee of $4, which one section of the City's page describes as $4 per hour. Rooms are for personal and community use only; commercial and for-profit activities are not allowed, and the program is not available on school breaks or PA days.
Santa Claus Parade entries
The City's October recreation newsletter says applications from community groups, businesses and organizations to take part in the December 6 Santa Claus Parade close on October 16. The City's parade page lists the parade from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 6, and invites floats, walking groups, bands and volunteers.
Sources
City of Burlington
Neighbourhood RinksCity of Burlington
Recreation Newsletter - October 2026City of Burlington
Rent a Facility or ParkCity of Burlington
Santa Claus Parade