During the coldest week of the season so far, a new winter playground is opening in the valley.
For the first time in more than 40 years, the City of Ansonia decided to transform Linett Park into a destination for winter activities.
"I heard they were putting an ice skating rink around here and I live right up the hill so I said let me go find out what it’s about," Delia Buker from Ansonia said as she checked out the park with her granddaughter Kayla. "My kids used to come down here when they were young to play."
Kayla, a 5th grader, told NBC Connecticut she has never gone ice skating before.
"But I did get a pair of ice skates a few years ago that I’ve been wanting to try and I rollerblade," she said. "So I feel like I’d be good at it."
She plans to try out those skates on the outdoor rink that Mayor David Cassetti had moved from Nolan Field to Linett Park for this winter.
"I decided that this park being underutilized, it would be a perfect place because of the hill in the background for sled riding, a fire pit, ice skating, have a food truck you know and more activities for the residents of Ansonia and the valley," Cassetti said. "Everybody is welcome here."
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There should be a fresh snow on the sledding hill Saturday afternoon with one to three inches in the First Alert forecast.
The park is free to the public and will be open seven days a week, weather permitting. Just be sure to bring your own sled or ice skates.
The mayor said a grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 6.