23 Jun 2016

Springhill Lake Rec Center Roller Skating A Smash Hit with Families

by
Springhill Lake Rec Center Roller Skating A Smash Hit with Families
Andre Canady, 16, of Greenbelt, skates with friends at the monthly Friday Fun Day on June 17 at The Springhill Lake Recreation Center. The open skate with free skate rental occurs every third Friday in spring and summer months at the center. Photo by Jill Connor

The sounds of small bottoms hitting the ground and dozens of plastic roller skate wheels sliding across the gym floor characterize the Free Friday Fun program at the Springhill Lake Recreation Center (SHLRC). Occurring every third Friday from March to August, the program offers the gym as a skating rink with free skate rental, if needed, in a safe family-friendly environment, including center staff members helping some of the less steady participants. Frank Jones, the Recreation Coordinator of SHLRC, explained that the program has taken place annually for over five years, drawing an average of 50 people per event. Jones said that roller skating has been consistently “what people in the area liked,” so they continue to host the event. Jones said the event was originally to take place outdoors but moved indoors because of gravel and uneven surface concerns. “We will take them for two hours from 5 to 7,” Jones said. The event is scheduled after school and camp schedules so

Friends Abby Goblick, 9, Gabrielle Opperman, 8, both of Greenbelt, skate together at the monthly Friday Fun Day on June 17 at The Springhill Lake Recreation Center. The open skate with free skate rental occurs every third Friday in spring and summer months at the center. Photo by Jill Connor
Friends Abby Goblick, 9, Gabrielle Opperman, 8, both of Greenbelt, skate together at the monthly Friday Fun Day on June 17 at The Springhill Lake Recreation Center. The open skate with free skate rental occurs every third Friday in spring and summer months at the center. Photo by Jill Connor

that parents can send kids down to the center for more activity. A large skate truck filled with a variety of sizes of skates sits parked near the center entrance during the event. The truck is provided by Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation Department. The next two roller skating evenings will be on July 15 and August 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. Other summer drop-in programs at SHLRC include board games, arts and crafts, Wii tournaments and summer reading programs.