Accessible rinks

Find out more about the adaptive skating equipment that you can use at many skating rinks.

Ice sleds offer a seated option for skaters who cannot stand to skate. If you can use your upper body evenly, you can push yourself across the ice using use two short hockey sticks with a figure skating pick on the end. A stroller bar handle can be inserted into the back of the ice sled to push you if you can’t push or steer. The sleds have anti-tippers to prevent you from tipping over backwards, and adjustable leg trays that adjust for your height.

There is no fee to use an ice sled at any rink. Public skating is free at DCR-operated rinks, but privately-operated rinks may charge a fee, so be sure to check with the rink. There is also a fee for conventional skate rentals, if they are offered at the rink. 

We recommend you use these sleds during uncrowded skating times. You can see the skating schedule for each rink by clicking on the rink name in the table below. Please be sure to contact the rink in advance find out about the best times to skate.

You can push yourself across the ice in a sled using small hockey sticks with picks on the end of them.

Sizes and styles of sleds vary by rink. Adult sleds have a typical weight limit of 190 pounds and may not fit larger skaters. Youth sleds have a typical weight limit of 100 pounds. There is no charge for ice sled use, but other rental fees may apply, so check with the rink.

You should be able to transfer into and out of the sleds on your own and skate independently, or bring a companion who can help.

You can get a push in an ice sled with handles. Be sure to bring your own helmet if you need one!

 

Greater Boston area

Town	Rink	Equipment
Cambridge	Simoni Memorial Rink	1 adult sled, 2 youth sleds, 2 handles
Charlestown	DCR Emmons Horrigan O’Neill Memorial Rink	1 adult sled, 1 youth sled, 1 handle
Dorchester	DCR Devine Memorial Rink	2 adult sleds, 2 handles
East Boston	Porrazzo Memorial Rink	2 adult sleds, 2 handles, 3 walkers
Hyde Park	DCR Bajko Memorial Rink	1 adult sled, 1 youth sled, 1 handle
Jamaica Plain	DCR Kelly Outdoor Rink	1 youth sled
Medford	Flynn Memorial Rink	5 adult sleds, 1 handle
Medford	LoConte Memorial Rink	4 adult sleds, 3 handles, 8 walkers
Newton	Daly Memorial Rink	2 adult sleds, 2 handles, 1 walker
North End	DCR Steriti Memorial Rink	2 adult sleds, 1 handle, 1 youth walker
Revere	Cronin Memorial Rink	1 adult sled, 1 handle, 1 walker
Somerville	Somerville Veterans Memorial Rink	2 adult sleds, 1 handle
South Boston	DCR Murphy Memorial Rink	1 adult sled, 1 handle
West Roxbury	Jim Roche Community Ice Arena	8 adult sleds, 4 handles
Weymouth	DCR Connell Memorial Rink	1 adult sled, 1 handle

North region

Town	Rink	Equipment
Newburyport	Henry Graf, Jr. Rink	1 adult sled, 1 handle

South region

Town	Rink	Equipment
Brockton	John G. Asiaf Memorial Rink	4 adult sleds, 1 youth sled, 4 handles
Taunton	Theodore Aleixo Rink	2 adult sleds, 1 handle
Franklin	Staff Sgt. Robert Pirelli Veterans Memorial Skating Rink	2 adult sleds, 1 handle
Plymouth	John A. Armstrong Memorial Rink	2 adult sleds 1 handle
Fall River	Arthur R. Driscoll Memorial Rink	6 adult sleds, 6 handles, 18 walkers

Central region

Town	Rink	Equipment
Auburn	Daniel S. Horgan Memorial Rink	2 adult sleds, 1 handle
Worcester	Charles J. Buffone Rink	3 adult sleds, 3 handles, 11 walkers

West region

Town	Rink	Equipment
Greenfield	Collins-Moylan Memorial Rink	2 adult sleds, 2 handles
Holyoke	Henry J. Fitzpatrick Rink	8 adult sleds, 5 handles, 6 walkers
Springfield	Ray Smead Memorial Rink	2 adult sleds, 2 handles
North Adams	Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Rink	2 adult sleds, 2 handles

Additional Resources

DCR Ice Sled Locations 2024