Whether it’s this frigid weather or the recent U.S. Figure Skating Championships held right in our backyard, you might be feeling inspired to get on the ice.
You can visit your local indoor ice rink anytime of year, of course; nevertheless, skating outdoors just has a certain romance to it. Unfortunately, a major outdoor skating staple is missing this season.
The Steinberg Ice Skating Rink, located in the lower eastern corner of Forest Park, has been that staple every winter since 1957 – until last year. The rink officially closed in March 2025 for a significant restoration project that will transform the nostalgic-but-dated skating spot into an all-season indoor and outdoor gathering space known as the Glade.
Thankfully, the original Steinberg Rink will remain as the newly restored “heart” of the Glade. The surrounding acreage will be developed into a recreational and leisure area featuring splash pads, fountains, and an intricately landscaped community lawn that seamlessly connects to the rest of the park.
The modest skate rental, ticketing and concessions building that once housed the Snowflake Cafe will be developed into a two-story gathering space. Dominik Jansky, spokesperson for Forest Park Forever, explains that the original rectilinear design will blend into a second story addition. The new and improved building will not only hold a ticket hall and skate rental area, but also private event spaces, an outdoor observation deck, a “community living room,” and two distinct dining concepts.
While pretzels dipped in bright-orange liquid cheese and hot cups of powdery cocoa will be duly missed for their sentimental simplicity, Jansky says the cuisine by the rink will certainly be more elevated, though most dining details are still under wraps. Jansky did share that when it comes to dining, Forest Park Forever is looking into partnering with individuals or groups that share the project’s values and vision: “To reimagine the Steinberg area as a place for all-season fun that is equitably, environmentally, and economically sustainable and inspires a variety of structured and unstructured activities that are welcoming to all.”
This vision speaks to physical accessibility, such as ADA compliance, as well as economic accessibility. Jansky explains that the Glade hopes to offer “a mix of free and low-cost programming along with paid and ‘plus’ experiences to help sustain the operation.”
This ethically and environmentally conscious sentiment may inspire visitors to resort to cleaner, greener – and, more importantly, space-conscious – modes of transportation, as the occasionally active parking lot next to Jefferson Lake will be renovated but not expanded. Jansky explains that geothermal wells have been drilled beneath the lot to help lower the Glade’s energy consumption. To read more about the sustainability of the Glade project, click here.
Locality is another key aspect of the Glade’s vision, from employing Midwest and local design firms, such as Christner Architects, to sourcing materials closer to home. Only two days after the project’s ceremonial groundbreaking, the May 16 tornado devastated the city. While the Glade construction site remained mostly untouched, parts of Forest Park and nearby St. Louis neighborhoods were heavily impacted. In response, planners partnered with local furniture maker Mwanzi Co. to repurpose fallen trees into custom furniture that will be featured throughout the Glade.
This focus on community will extend to the Glade’s gathering and dining experiences as well. Jansky explains that while upstairs dining will offer a more traditional table-service experience, the downstairs cafe will serve as a casual eatery for skaters and community members alike. Visitors will be welcome to gather in the cafe without a ticket for convenient rink-side offerings.
Additional spaces – including a rooftop terrace overlooking the rink and a “community living room” – will also be open to the public. Wi-Fi will be ample throughout the Glade, making it a welcoming spot for students, remote-workers, and those of us who look for interesting spots to do our taxes in hopes of making the task less miserable.
All of this, however, will have to wait until the Glade’s projected opening later this fall. In the meantime, if you’re itching to get on the ice in a charming outdoor setting, Centene Community Ice Center’s semi-outdoor rink in Maryland Heights is an excellent alternative for your perfectly “original” date idea.