Ballfields are now skating rinks in neighborhoods across the Twin Cities. That means some outdoor skating started Friday in St. Louis Park.
Andre Patterson says the holiday mood is brightened with kids and adults sliding and gliding at Browndale Park's man-made frozen pond.
"I think they love it because the parents are all come around and stuff, and they watch their kids and stuff, you know, it probably does them some good too," Brown says.
He adds that he was a pretty good skater himself.
"Back in the day," Brown laughs.
But even the joy of outdoor skating won't coax him back into his ice skates.
"I still know how to skate because I used to roller skate and ice skate, but it take me, it would take me a little bit too much," Brown joked. "I'd have to buy a new hockey stick and every other thing."
The winter fun comes with the calm after the storm. Much of the Twin Cities saw at least a few inches of snow on Thursday, snarling traffic and leading to snow emergencies in cities across the metro.
It also means the all-important White Christmas, snowmen, sledding, and skating. Now, with many kids off of school and temps in the teens Friday and Saturday? Perfect skating weather.
If you're looking for a place to strap on the blades, here's an interactive map from the Minneapolis Park Board, rinks in St. Paul, and a full list of other areas around the metro.