For the first time in more than 10 years, Mirror Lake at Hubbard Park was open for public skating Monday.
Philip Rieth, a Meriden native and recent college graduate, was at the lake with his sister and a friend playing hockey.
"I skated out here maybe 10 or 15 years ago when I was a child and then never again," Rieth said. "I can't remember the last time it was opened."
Parks Director Chris Bourdon guessed the lake probably hasn't been open for skating in more than a decade.
"It's been a long time. No one knows the reason," he said.
He said the lake will be open for skating again on Tuesday, but isn't sure when conditions will be safe again, especially with more snow expected this week.
"We'll try to do what we can, but we're going to do it in a safe way," Bourdon said.
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The opening of the lake also marked the re-opening of the park's skatehouse, where people could warm up with space heaters on loan from the Meriden Housing Authority and hot chocolate from a neighbor, Jim Suzio.
Meriden resident Gary Fuerstenberg was at the lake with his son John, 10, and daughter, Katy, 9. John was trying to ice skate for the first time.
"He's just trying to get the hang of skating and sliding. It's a bit different than walking," Gary Fuerstenberg said.
"Yeah, very different than walking," his son said, holding on to his dad for balance.
Sisters Deanna and Natalie Scotto visited the lake from their house across the street. They said they've skated on the park's temporary rink before, but not on the lake.
"It's been really fun," Deanna Scotto said.
Bourbon said the Parks & Recreation Facebook page is the best way to learn when the lake is open in the future.
It is not open Wednesday because of the snow. People are not allowed to skate when crews cannot clear it. They will reassess Thursday.
