Today might be the shortest day of the year, but don’t let lack of sunlight get you down!

There’s plenty of ways to have fun and stay healthy in the cold winter months, both indoors and out! Here’s our picks of fun things you can do with Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront:

1- Outdoor ice skating

We now have rinks set up throughout the city that are open to everyone for use. Locations include Starr Farm, Roosevelt, Battery, Calahan and Lakeside. Get more details on our recent post! Please remember to follow any posted signs and skate only when the ice is good and solid. We want the surface to stay nice ALL winter.

Two of our community run rink have their own Facebook pages. Follow them to keep up with conditions and events.

https://www.facebook.com/calahanparkcommunityrink

https://www.facebook.com/Lakeside-Skating-Rink-439944602731945

2- Animal tracking

Take a wintry walk in one of our natural areas and you might discover little tracks in the snow. Animals such as bobcat, coyote, beavers, mink and more have been tracked throughout the city!  See if you can find of these furry friends this winter. Read all about it and check out the map on our recent Master Naturalist blog post.

Click the image below to download our pocket guide to animal tracks!

3- Sledding

With more snow in the forecast, get ready to put on the snow suits and head for the hills! There’s some nice hills in Oakledge, Calahan and others. Where are your favorite spots?

4- Play an indoor sport

We have added beginner pickleball sessions at the ONE Community Center, and more advanced sessions at Miller Center. We also have drop in volleyball, indoor soccer and basketball. Join a volleyball league. Hurry, sign-ups are ending soon! We have sports for all ages!

5- Indoor skating at Leddy Ice Arena

If it’s too cold to play outside, enjoy the ice indoors! Check out the schedule for public skating times or sign up for some lessons. We offer all levels for kids AND adults!

6- Get your Dancing shoes on!

Try Line dancing at Miller Center on Tuesdays at 6:15pm from now until 12/19! And now we’re offering drop in Ball Room dancing at the ONE community center!

7- Take a walk

Join elder adults for an early morning walk at the Miller Center from 7:30-9am, or at the new ONE Community Center on Mondays & Fridays from 10am-Noon and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 1-3pm.  It’s a great opportunity to get some easy exercise and meet new people. Several studies show that walking for just 21 minutes a day improves your health!

8- Learn something new

Sign up for a recreation program like sign language, karate, herbals or yoga. We have lots of classes at the Miller Center begin early January! Most are very low cost and a great way to experiment with new activities without spend a lot of money.

9- Enjoy the Burlington Greenway

The bike path has been newly resurfaced and re-opened on December 20th. We will be plowing the northern section this winter making it better to walk and bike.

10- Just go out and play

The playgrounds are open all year! Just because it’s cold and snowy doesn’t make swinging any less fun, in fact it adds a whole new way to play! Just bundle up and head over to your nearest park.