One of the first things I did when I moved to Akron was figure out where the closest skating rink was.
Like many people, I learned to roller skate in 2020. In the midst of the pandemic, the activity saw a resurgence in popularity thanks to Instagram and TikTok. It’s important to note that roller skating never went away, especially in the Black community, which has a long, vibrant history of skating.
The Springfield Lake Roller Rink looks like a lot of rinks: a wooden floor that’s seen better days and delightfully bold carpet dulled from years of shoes and wheels. And the people there are the same people you see at every rink: old timers, little kids on wobbly legs, young guys doing head-spinning turns and jumps.
The rink has been a local staple for decades. The building itself dates back to 1930. (Check out this ad from a 1975 edition of the Akron Beacon Journal.) For many years, the land the roller rink sits on was home to Springfield Lake Park, an amusement park that opened in the early 1900s and closed during the Depression.
As someone new to the area, I’m constantly on the lookout for good places to skate. During these winter months, the Springfield Lake Roller Rink has become a haven, a slice of normalcy in my new normal.
This weekend it’s supposed to warm up some, so I have hopes of skating outside.
And if we get another cold spell? Well, you know where to find me.
Do you have memories of skating at Springfield Lake Roller Rink? Send us your story via this form, and we might feature your response in a future issue of Akron Alive!, Signal Akron’s weekly culture & arts newsletter.
Three things to do this weekend in Akron:
If you like a little frightful fun with your Valentine’s Day, check out Cupid’s Revenge at Akron Haunted Schoolhouse this Friday from 7 to 11 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear their finest disco duds as they navigate this haunted house featuring tales of love gone very wrong. When you’re finished, head to the after party to enjoy music and cocktails. Tickets start at $25, and you’ll save a few bucks if you buy in advance.
The Akron Symphony and the Gospel Meets Symphony Choir will once again team up for a concert of epic collaboration. Now in its 30th year, Gospel Meets Symphony showcases some of the region’s best singers as they perform with the orchestra. Tickets start at $20 for adults. Tickets for children are $15.
Hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad this Sunday for an excursion through the national park. This two-hour trip gives riders an up-close view of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Guests can catch the train at the Akron Northside Station at 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. Tickets start at $18 for adults and $13 for children.
