For the first time in roughly three decades, visitors are lacing up their skates and gliding across the ice at two Long Island state parks. With temperatures now climbing above freezing, park officials are working to make sure the ice remains safe.
Ice skating is currently permitted at Hempstead Lake State Park and Belmont Lake State Park, where sustained cold recently created thick enough ice to open skating to the public.
Now, as milder weather sets in, safety checks are ensuring the ice is still thick enough…