New Jersey
South Jersey - (609)
Albion/Berlin, NJ
Cross Keys Skating Center - 609-767-7815
Atlantic City, NJ
Atlantic City Seaside Resort - (proposed)
Cape May, NJ
Cape May Convention Hall - 609-884-9565
Carll's Corner/Bridgeton, NJ
Skate World (was All-Skate Skating Center) - 609-453-0800
Cherry Hill, NJ
Cherry Hill Skating Center - 609-795-1919(tape)/795-1909
Delanco/Willingboro/Burlington, NJ
Holiday Skating Center - 609-461-3770
Deptford/Woodbury, NJ
Deptford Skating Center - 609-845-7353
Franklinville/Glassboro, NJ
Franklin Skating Center - 609-694-0600
Hammonton, NJ
Rollway Roller Rink - 609-561-8061
Hurffville/Glassboro, NJ
Skater's Choice - 609-582-0002
Pleasantville/Atlantic City, NJ
Parkway Skating Center - 609-383-1800
Mays Landing, NJ
Young's Skating Center (and Lenape Park) -
609-625-1191/625-2021
Marleton, NJ
Evesham Skating Center - 609-983-3500
Tuckerton, NJ
Tuckerton Skateway - 609-296-0809
Voorhees, NJ
AJ Hounds Roller Rink - 609-427-4141
Echelon Skating Center - 609-346-1335/346-0055
Central and Western Areas - (908)
Bridgewater, NJ
Extremes - 908-560-0005
Broadway, NJ
Villa Roller Rink - 908-689-6155
Eatontown, NJ
Eatontown Roller Skating Center - 908-542-5858/542-5891
Edison/New Brunswick, NJ
United Skates of America Skating Center -
908-494-6655/494-6656
Frenchtown, NJ
Frenchtown Roller Rink - 908-996-6313
Hackettstown, NJ
Hackettstown Family Skating Center - 908-852-8155
Jackson/Lakewood, NJ
Jackson Skating Center (Roller Magic) - 908-363-2222
Kendall Park/New Brunswick, NJ
Kendall Park Roller Rink - 908-297-3003/297-3776
Lakewood, NJ
Skate Arena - 908-363-5583
South Amboy, NJ
South Amboy Roller Rink (aka Roller Magic Arena) -
908-727-1122
Union/Union County/Newark, NJ
Skate 22 - 908-686-6838
North Jersey - (201)
Bellville/Newark, NJ
Branch Brook Roller Rink - 201-482-8900
Bergenfield/Bergen County/North Jersey, NJ
The Rink - 201-384-5000(schedule)/384-2474
Florham Park/Morristown/Morris County, NJ
Florham Park Skating Center - 201-377-0465
Montvale, NJ
The Rink (aka Montvale Hockey Rink) - 201-391-9068
Wallington, NJ
Inline Skating Club (was Wallington Skating Rink) -
201-473-8900
Wayne/Passaic County/North Jersey, NJ
Skaters World Roller Rink - 201-694-9440
Wharton/Dover/Morris County, NJ
Wheels in Motion (was Roller World) - 201-328-7900
========================================================================
========================================================================
New Jersey (609) - South Jersey
Atlantic City, Camden, Trenton, Wildwood
Phone numbers and addresses checked against a CD-ROM directory 1/96,
RSA directory and USAC/RS directory.
This should be essentially all the roller rinks in the 609 area code.
====
Albion/Berlin, NJ 08009-9201
Cross Keys Skating Center
128 Cross Keys-Berlin Road
Albion is located southeast of Camden, along the Whitehorse Pike
Corridor. From I-295, get off at the Rt 30 - Whitehorse Pike exit
and head southeast on Rt 30 towards Berlin for about 8 miles. Just
past the Rt 524 - Clemmonton-Berlin Road intersection, you want to
turn right onto Berlin-Cross Keys Road. The rink should be about a
mile further on the right side, after Watsontown-New Freedom Road.
609-767-7815
Wed 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Discount Night
Thurs 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Adult-18+ Organ, Oldies, Big-Band, Rock
Fri 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Adult-18+
Sat 12:30 AM - 2:30 PM
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Sun 12:30 AM - 2:30 PM
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wood Floor
Snack Bar - Air Conditioned
In-Line Skates Permitted
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic Coach
According to the attendant the music for the Thrusday evening adult
session is pretty mixed - the DJ will take requests or play music that
people bring. A friend who attended the session and said it was OK,
but nothing to get excited about.
====
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Atlantic City Seaside Resort
Boardwalk
609-???-????
Proposed
There are plans to build a new Casino/Shopping mall complex in central
Atlantic City. The overall complex is described as an outlet mall,
with an assoicated hotel/casino, a multiplex theatre and a large roller
rink, and is to be located next to the Showboat Casino Hotel. The
theatre and roller rink are "community facilities" tied in with casino
community re-investment funding, so the rink will probably be a part of
the package, though it could quickly close or turn multi-function with
very limited skating hours if non-profitable.
The project has been mentioned in local papers since 1994-1995, but
according to the developer [June 1996], the project is underway, with
constuction to start in mid-1997 for a 1998 opening date. They said
it will include the roller rink and they have already made arrangements
with a rink operator. Approval for use of the re-invenstment funds was
granted in 1996, but the there's a catch - if the developer uses the
funds, then they have to include the "community facilities", however
if they hook up with a Casino/Hotel partner wiht the means to finance
the project without the re-investment money, then they can turn around
and build whatever they please...
====
Cape May, NJ 08204
Cape May Convention Hall
714 Beach Avenue
Cap May is a resort community located at the southern tip of New Jersey,
across the Delaware bay from Lewes, Delaware. Take the Garden State
Parkway to the southern end, then continue into Cape May on Layfayette
Street. Turn left on Ocean Street until it dead-ends at Beach Avenue,
turn turn left and the Convention Center should be a couple blocks off,
between Gurney Street and Stockton Place. A more lesiurely alternative
is to take the Cape May - Lewes ferry from Delaware, but be warned that
all routes involve summertime shore traffic delays.
609-884-9565
Wed 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thurs 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Fri 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon Adult Skate (call)
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Bring Your Own CD
Sat 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
====
Carll's Corner/Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Skate World (was All-Skate Skating Center)
1748 Burlington Road off Rt 56
Bridgeton is located in South Jersey about 25 miles southeast of the
Delaware Memorial Bridge. From I-95, take US 40 northwest to Rt 77,
then head south on Rt 77 towards Bridgeton. About 3 miles outside o
Bridgton, Rt 77 merges with Rt 56 in a complex mess also involving
Rt 611 and Burlington Road. You want to bear left just prior to the
merge so that you can cross Rt 56 onto Burlington Road. The rink is
just ahead on the right, it's an industrial looking building, behind
the Police Station that's out on Rt 77.
609-453-0800
Mon 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Christian Music Night (1st Mon only)
Wed 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Family Night
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Hip-Hop (aka Rap) Night
Sat 10:00 PM - 12:00 PM Kids Skate (11 and under)
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Open Matinee
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Modern Rock/Alternative Music
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Open Matinee
Hardwood - 160 x 80 - rectangular
RSA Member RInk
This rink is only a half-hour south of the Delaware Memorial Bridge
but the feel is rural South Jersey. The rink was rennovated in
1994 and opened with a schedule including an Adult organ night.
Subsequently, the rink was sold and the manager departed for a new
rink in North Carolina. I haven't been there since, but from the
message on their tape, it sounds like a strictly for kids and teens
operation now, though there is probably a small artistic program.
====
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Cherry Hill Skating Center
665 Deer Road at Old Cuthbert Road
Cherry Hill is located in South Jersey, about 10 miles west of Camden.
From I-295, get off at the Rt 70 - Marlton Pike exit and head west on
Rt 70 towards Marlton. Take to first dog-leg to make a U-turn and
head back the othe other way on Rt 70 - you want to turn right onto
Old Cuthbert Road, which is just opposite where the exit ramp dumped
you onto Rt 70. Follow Old Curthbert road past the hotel and an
athletic club and about 3/4-mile further till you see a Gold Gym/
Max Fitness Center at the corner of Deer Road. Turn left and the
rink will be the third building back on the left.
609-795-1919(tape)/795-1909
Tues 9:45 AM - 11:45 AM Pre-school/Kindergarden Session
Wed 12:45 PM - 2:15 PM Pre-school/Kindergarden Session
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Public Session
Thurs 12:45 PM - 2:15 PM Pre-school/Kindergarden Session
Fri 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Public Session
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Public Session - Top 40 music
Sat 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Children & Parents Session
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Afternoon Session
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Evening Session
Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Afternoon Session
Wood Floor - Average Size
In-line skates permited and availabl for rent
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ Rob Steuer - http://csac.rutgers.edu/users/steuer ]
Just for reference, the Cherry Hill Skating Center also allows in-line
skates, but it is usually WAY overcrowded and can be a little "wild".
Most of the lockers are broken, and the track is in really poor shape.
It's really not worth going to...
====
Delanco/Willingboro/Burlington, NJ 08075
Holiday Skating Center
1775 Creek Road
Delanco is located in South Jersey along the Delaware River at the
Rancocas Creek, between Camden and Burlington. Holiday is located
on River Road, which runs from Rt 130 west to Delanco. Heading North
on Rt 130, River Road is the first dog-leg after the hump bridge over
Rancocas Creek. Look for signs pointing towards the Motor Vehicle
Inspection lanes or the old Holiday Lake Park entrance and Ice Cream
Stand. After crossing Rt 130, make the first left and then as the
road bears to the right, the rink will be on the right hand side of
the road. Heading South, other than the Inspection Lane signs,
there aren't any really good landmarks until you're (oops) past
Creek Road, you have to turn just before the Wawa on the corner.
609-461-3770
Mon 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Adult Coffee Session & Lessons
Tues 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Adult-16/Organ Night
Wed 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Adult Coffee Session & Lessons
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Family Night w/DJ
Thurs 8:30 PM - 11:00 PM Organ Night - Tapes (seasonal)
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM DJ
Sat 10:00 AM - noon Tiny Tots
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Afternoon Skate Session
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM DJ
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Afternoon Skate Session
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Organ Night
Hardwood - 200'x90' - Oval w/wood surround practice area
In-line Skates permitted and available for rent
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic Club
This is perhaps the largest rink in the area. It's a bit longer and
much wider than usual and still has a large skatable seating area at
one end and wide seating/practice lane down one side. The rink was
completely sanded and resurfaced in Summer '93, which put it in like
new condition, though they also re-coat once or twice each year, prior
to springtime artistic competitions and sometimes also prior to the
fall "Evening of Champions" show.
The Tuesday session features live organ music by Bill Clark and is
fairly well attended by a mix of all ages. There are mid-session
and after session artistic dance specials. The Sunday night session
features music by his understudy Ron Baldwin. This session is less
crowded but more confused, what with kids present.
One downside is that this seems to be *the* hangout for smokers in the
area and while smoking is limited to certain areas of the snack bar,
there's not adequate ventilation to prevent the snack bar from becoming
a really odious smoke pit, especially the busy during break periods.
Better enforcement of the smoking zone and addition of a smoke-eater or
effective ventilation would be a major and much appreciated improvement.
[ Rob Steuer - http://csac.rutgers.edu/users/steuer ]
Another nice rink is the Holiday Skating Center (609-461-3770).
They also allow inline skates and the rink is very large. First
time I went I felt like a goldfish being put into a larger bowl!
They do rent inline skates but the adult session is just that,
anyone under 60 will feel out of place, also almost everyone has
rollerskates. Best bet would be a Friday or Saturday night when
some of the younger crowd is there with inline skates.
[ grr - update ]
The crowd on Tuesday nights does include skaters from 60 to 80+ YO
and while there aren't many 16-20 YO's, there are regular skaters
in the 20-30 and 30-40 age brackets. You do have to appreciate or
at least tolerate the Organ music though. The other evenings draw
a somewhat less senior weighted group.
There have also been more in-line skaters this winter, some who fit
well and have mentioned that this is a nicer place for adult in-line
skaters than some of the other local rinks. Some others didn't fit
so well and haven't been back, the adult sessions are the place for
indoor speed or hockey skating, or any kind of attitude.
They've also instituted an in-line hockey program as of fall 1995.
Hopefully this won't have too much of a negative impact on the
adult/artistic skating hours or the facility.
As of November 1996, Bill Clark announced his retirement. Bill has
been the organist at Holiday for the last 13 years and also played at
numerous other rinks in the area. The announced plan is that Ralph
Brown will play each Tuesday except the 3rd Tuesday of each month,
when Ron Baldwin will fill in.
====
Deptford/Woodbury, NJ 08096
Deptford Skating Center
Deptford and Cedar Avenues off Rt 47
Deptford is located in South Jersey, about 5 miles south of Camden.
From I-295 southbound, get off at exit 25 - Rt 47 - Delsea Drive
and head south on Delsea Drive. From I-295 northbound, you have
to get off at exit 23 - Rt 130 and head north though to Westville,
then at the second traffic circle, bear right onto Rt 47. From
the I-295/Rt 47 interchange area, continue south on Rt 47 for about
a mile to Deptford Avenue and turn right onto Deptford. The rink
will be on the right, at the corner of Cedar Avenue.
609-845-7353
Tues 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Tot Session and Class
Wed 10:00 AM - 12:30 AM Adult Organ Music Session and Class
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Country Dancing - Not Skating!
Fri 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Public Skating
9:00 PM - 11:30 PM Public Skating
Sat noon - 2:30 PM Public Skating
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM Public Skating
7:30 PM - 12:30 AM Country Dancing - Not Skating!
Sun noon - 2:30 PM Public Skating
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM Public Skating
Wood Floor - Average Size
In-line skates permitted and availble for rent
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ bill@franklin.com (bill) ]
just off 47 near 295. Besides having some good pros, its main claim to
fame is NO SMOKING, none at all in the building. Since most of the other
rinks tend to be smokeholes and I'm allergic to it, I really like that.
Unfortunately, it has a small floor that has definitely seen better days.
[ bensonr@condor.navsses.navy.mil - edited]
Looking for professional lessons in the South New Jersey area - free style,
dance or figures - check out the Deptford Skating Center in Deptford NJ.
The percentage of skaters that went to nationals was more than 80%.
We have the best free style coach in the country. He will teach you how
to do the jumps the right way and the spins are world class. Drop by and
see for yourself. We have a great club and people get along extremely well.
The free style coach is Bob Carrier. We could use some boys for the club,
but all are welcome.
====
Franklinville/Glassboro, NJ 08322
Franklin Skating Center
Delsea Drive - Route 47
Franklinville is located about 5 miles south of Glassboro on the
Delsea Drive - Rt 47 corridor. From I-295 get off at exit 26, head
south on Rt 42 and then take the first exit and head south on Rt 55
to exit 43. Turn right at the traffic light and the rink should be
about 2 miles south on Rt 47 - Delsea drive, on the left right before
you get into Franklinville.
609-694-0600
Tues 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Coffee Skate & Lessons
Wed 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Family Skate
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Family Skate
8:00 PM - 11:30 PM Skating and Dancing
Sun 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
8:00 PM - 12:00 PM Adult - Soul Night
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
I've heard that this rink periodically has community relations problems
due to not having enough parking for the popular sessions, putting the
rink operator in the rather unusual position of discouraging business,
or alternatively, that they just have an attitude of some sort.
The rink is located right in or on the edge of a community and has only
a small parking lot, so I'd suggest arriving early and avoiding parking
in front of a residence or driveway.
I haven't gotten a chance to skate here, but the Sunday "Soul Night"
is reputed to be very popular among Philadelphia area black skaters,
though I don't know exactly what vintage of "Soul" they're playing.
====
Hammonton, NJ 08037
Rollway Roller Rink
South 2nd Road
Hammonton is located in South Jersey, about half-way between Philadelphia
and Atlantic City, along the US 322 - Black Horse Pike corridor. From
the Atlantic City Expressway, get of at exit 28 - Rt 54 and head north-
east towards Hammonton. South 2nd Road is the first street after the
interchange, turn right and you'll see the rink on the left side about
an eight of a mile ahead.
609-561-8061
Wed 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM After School Session
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
7:30 PM - midnite Country Dancing - Not Skating!
RSA Member Rink
====
Hurffville/Glassboro, NJ 08080-9182
Skater's Choice
150 Holley Dell Avenue
Glassboro is located in South Jersey about 20 miles south of Camden.
Skaters Choice is on Rt 47 between Hurffville and Glassboro. From
I-295 get off at exit 26, then head south on Rt 42 to the first exit,
and then head south on Rt 55 to exit 56 - Rt 47. Follow Rt 47 south
for about 4 miles, through Hurffville and look for the Holly Dell
Business Park sign - the rink is off the road and hard to spot coming
from Philly, but if you hit Glassboro you've gone too far.
609-582-0002
Mon 9:30 PM - 11:30 AM Tiny Tot and Preschool Session
Tues 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Family Discount Night
Thurs 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM Adult-18 Nite - Club/dance DJ
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM Top-40
Sat 12:00 noon - 3:30 PM Matinee
7:30 PM - 12:30 AM Top-40
Sun 12:00 noon - 3:30 PM Matinee
*** additional weekday afternoon matinee sessions in the summer
Wood Floor - 180'x80' - Fair Condition
RSA Member Rink
I visited Skaters Choice on a Thursday night. A competent DJ kept things
moving, but was pretty much the same music and same crowd as other Philly
area rinks. The area adult/disco skaters hit Skaters Choice, The Palace,
Villanova and The Parkway rinks, whichever has an adult session on a given
evening, while the adult/organ music skaters hit Holiday, Skaters Choice,
Caln, Shillington and so on.
The floor is mixed blessings - it's large, well laid and has a nice
finish, but it's badly dinked, as if every dent or scrape over the past
30 years has been preserved, rather than smoothed out. Actually from
what I understand, the owner used to be proud of the floor, but hockey
play was a business neccessity and if they hockey players chewed up the
floor, that was unfortunate. I guess you could get used to the floor,
or maybe not notice it with wider wheels, but I found it irritating.
It'd be a lot nicer sanded down and refinished. There'a also a small
practice area or dance floor with a wood parquet floor and mirrors.
One note is that this place might as well be called Smoker's Choice,
there are no smoking restrictions in the building and the smokers are
there to take advantage of this. On the other hand, it may not be
quite as bad was where smokers are restricted to a snack bar or other
concentrated area. Wheels also tend to get dirty quickly, though I
think the culprit is the carpet in the snack bar/party area rather
than the floor itself.
[grr]
Unfortunately, the story is that the organ music session is going to
be canceled as of 10/2/96. There were rumors that it would be moved
to another day, but the attendent says that there aren't any firm
plans for doing so, so you I guess you can chalk up another victim of
the roller hockey boom. On the other hand, they've started making
some improvements to the rink, including new barriers and recoating
the floor.
====
Marleton, NJ 08053
Evesham Skating Center
471 Evesboro-Medford Road
Marleton is located in South Jersey about 15 miles east of Camden,
near the end of the Rt 70 expressway, east of the New Jersey turnpike.
Proceed east through Marlboro on Rt 70, towards Medford. About 3 miles
or 6 traffic lights east of the Rt 73 intersection in Evesham, there is
a diagonal intersection with Evesboro-Medford road cutting back to the
left. Turn left here, the rink is about 3/4-mile west on the left side
of the road, between Sharps Run Road and Elmwood Road.
609-983-3500
Mon 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM Tiny Tot Class
Tues 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Family Discount Night
Wed 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Tiny Tot Class
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Afternoon Session (October to ?)
Fri 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Adult Coffee & Cake Session w/Lesson
7:30 PM - 11:30 PM Public Session
Sat 10:00 PM - noon Children's Session (10 & under)
noon - 1:00 PM Children's Class
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM Afternoon Matinee
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM Afternoon Matinee
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Public Session
10:00 PM - 1:00 AM Public Session (may end at midnite)
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM Afternoon Matinee
2:30 PM - 5;00 PM Afternoon Matinee
Wood Floor - 185'x85' - Good Condition
Snack Bar - Skate Shop - Games - Air Conditioned
In-line skates permitted
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ Rob Steuer - http://csac.rutgers.edu/users/steuer ]
Evesham is fairly large, almost the size of the Holiday Skating Center.
The rink has more rollerskaters, but inline skates have a definite
presence. On a Saturday night it's actually not too crowded and it's
great for going fast and getting a little crazy with tricks. The music
is a combo of rock and club dance type music so it keeps you going
pretty well, the DJ's do a good job. They also set aside about 15
minutes near the end of the session for people to take their skates
off and dance on the floor, makes for a nice change of pace.
[ grr ]
Evesham was one of those local rinks that I'd never gotten around to
visiting, becuase they don't have any adult-oriented sessions, except
for a Friday daytime session. I finally visited to catch the special
described below and was somewhat pleasantly suprised.
The floor is larger than average, though not as large as the floor at
Holiday. I'd like to say it's in good condition, but it's kind of a
mixed bag. The main track is in very good condition, with only a little
ripple on the ends. However the center third, where the figure circles
are located, is faily badly washboarded. Since the rink is wide enough,
this doesn't present any problem for recreational skating, but for dance
or practicing freestyle moves or figures in the center it's no fun...
Overall the rink is in decent condition, a little run-down, but it looks
like they were making some renovations, including replacing the carpet
in the seating area. They have a variety of low-tech lighting effect
including rotating spot-lights and three mirrored turrets. There were
also some strobes and colored beam projectors and other devices. I don't
know if they were dead or the DJ just didn't feel like activating them.
The sound system was pretty good, multiple speaker boxes set into the
suspended ceiling matrix.
The rink has a skate shop, though it's mostly a display window, with
a "invitation only" shop/store-room off the office. There's the usual
snack bar and some seating/party table area.
There's a twice yearly shuffle skating reunion held at the rink -
"The Evesham Jam" put on by one of the rinks ex-DJ's. The music focus
is 70-80's shuffle skating favorites including The Sugarhill Gang,
The Gap Band, Bohannon, Grandmaster Flash, KC & The Sunshine Band and
the like.
See http://cygnus.rsabbs.com/~frenz/jam.html for event information.
====
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Young's Skating Center (and Lenape Park)
Park Road - Lenape Park
Mays Landing is located in South Jersey, about 20 miles northeast
of Atlantic City. From the Philadelphia area, take the Atlantic City
Expressway, get of at exit 17W - Rt 50 and head southwest on Rt 50 for
about 4 miles into Mays Landing. At Fifth Street, turn right and then
bear a bit to left at the 3-way intersection onto Mill Road. After a
couple blocks, turn right onto Park Road and follow this around the
lake. The rink will be on your left just before the "Dead End" sign.
609-625-1191/625-2021
Thurs 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Fri 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
8:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Sun 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Wood Floor - Large?
Air Conditioned
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic/Hockey Coaches
[ (Lou Brooks) nutwerk@acy.digex.net ]
Here's one for your Eastern Region rinks, although I haven't been yet, but
will try to check it out for you...
[ grr ]
This rink is now owned by the couple who previously operated the Villanova
skating rink, that rink is now operated by the same people who operate the
Parkway rink near Atlantic City.
According to rumor, they have replaced old Mays Landing linoleum floor with
a new wood floor. No adult nights at present.
====
Pleasantville/Atlantic City, NJ 80232-9601
Parkway Skating Center
3133 Fire Road, Between Tilton & Hingston Ave.
From that Atlatic City Expressway, get off at the Garden State Parkway
South exit and then get off the Parkway at the second exit, exit 36 -
Rt 322/40 Black Horse Pike. The exit drops you onto Tilton Road, at
the traffic light, turn right onto Fire Road and the rink will be about
a quarter mile down on the right. The building is a fairly blank white
brick structure, the entrance and parking lot is hidden around back
abutting the Parkway.
609-383-1800/383-1881
Tues 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Family Night
Thurs 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Adult Coffee Session - Light Rock
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Family Night
Fri 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM Evening Skate
Sat 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM Evening Skate (except Summer?)
Sun 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM Matinee Session(s)
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Adult-18 Skate - DJ Top-40/Dance Music
Hardwood - about 160 x 80 - oval
Inlines permitted after inspection
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
This rink is just outside the Atlantic City metropolitan area. You'd
think you're in rural South Jersey, but you're right at the intersection
of the Garden State Parkway and the Atlantic City Expressway, so plan
around beach traffic. I recognized a lot of skaters from Philadelphia
area rinks (50 miles away), but I don't know if this is just the Sunday
summer skate, or they're also catching a day at the shore.
Anyway, the rink itself is a nice modern style rink, pleasant and in
good condition. The floor is in good shape, although not as smooth
as some other rinks in the area. The music is advertised as "light
rock", but it's really Top-40 with some club/R&B and skating favorites
mixed in, not much different that what the DJ's are doing for adult
sessions at other area rinks.
I was a bit worried the place might be over-strict, since they had all
kinds of signs warning about cars being locked-in and towed 15-minutes
after session, but everyone working at the rink turned out to be quite
pleasant, so I guess that's just to discourage people from hanging out
in the lot the after session to stretch out a day at the shore till the
last possible hour. The crowd was well mixed, and I had a pretty good
time, even it it was a miserable two-hour rainy drive back home.
This rink has an organ alongside the floor and an active artistic
club/program, but no regularly scheduled artistic sessions.
====
Tuckerton, NJ 08087-2619
Tuckerton Skateway
201 East Main Street
Tuckerton is located along the South Jersy coast, on the bay side
of the Long Beach Island area. From the Garden State Parkway, get
of at exit 52 - US 9 and head on east on Rt 9 for about 5 miles
to Tuckertown. The rink should be on the left, one block after
the Rt 539 intersection.
609-296-0809
Fri 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Family Session
Sun 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Faimly Session
RSA Member Rink
====
Voorhees, NJ 08043-1759
AJ Hounds Roller Rink (aka Hounds Pound)
333 Preston Ave
From I-295, head southeast on Rt 30 - The Whitehorse Pike. Cross
under the NJ Turnpike, then turn left on Evesham Road. Preston
will be the second right after an open area, the rink should be
about 4 blocks down.
609-427-4141
Fri 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM Public Session
Sat 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Public Session
8:30 PM - 11:00 PM Public Session
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Public Session
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Public Session
(** public sessions may be pre-empted by roller hockey events! **)
Concrete - Hockey Size
Indoor - Hockey
This rink was built in 1995 as an indoor roller hockey rink, with
boards and a plexiglass surround, and is part of the Coliseum Ice
Center complex.
Although primarily a hockey rink, the Pound also has public skating
sessions, but these can be pre-empted by roller hockey tournements.
====
Voorhees, NJ 08043-2108
Echelon Skating Center
1140 White Horse Road
The rink is supposed to be near the Echelon Mall in Voorhees township.
From I-295, head southeast on Rt 30 - The White Horse Pike for about
3-1/2 miles then turn left onto White Horse Road go a couple miles
further. The rink will be on the left, just before the big Bally
Fitness Center. There's a small lighted sign at the drive, but the
rink building itself is very plain and dark as seen from the road.
609-346-1335/346-0055
Thurs 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Adult 18+ Nite - Top 40
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Public Skating - Top 40
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Public Skating - Top 40
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Public Skating - Top 40
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Public Skating - Top 40
*** schedule varies somewhat seasonally
Wood Floor - 160'x76' - Rounded Corners - Smooth - Very Good Condition
Skate Shop - Snack Bar - Games - Air Conditioned
In-line Skates permitted
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Speed and Hockey Clubs
[ Rob Steuer - http://csac.rutgers.edu/users/steuer ]
One of my favorites is the Echeleon Skating Center (609-346-1335).
Thursday night from 8 to 11pm is best as that is 18 and over night,
no kiddies! They used to rent inline skates, but I'm not sure if
they still do. Inline skates are allowed though, in fact, a lot
of the speed skaters practice there during certain hours for racing.
You'll see lots of people from really BAD to "Geez, why aren't they
in the olympics!"
[ grr@tharsis.com ]
I stopped in at Echelon on a mid-August Thursday night to check out
the adult session, but found it almost deserted. When I arrived in
the middle of the session, there were only about a dozen people there
and only one or two skating, despite decent music. It averaged about
four people on the floor the rest of the session. According to the
manager, the session does start to pick up again in September.
Although this rink is only average size, it has a very nice floor.
It's quite smooth and clean, with only a tiny bit of washboarding in
the center area. Even so, there was a note saying that they were
planning on refinishing it in a couple of weeks. The sound system is
pretty good and the DJ was doing an reasonable job despite the lack
of any excitement out on the floor.
There were a variety of strobes, spots lights, neon, a mirror ball
array and other relatively low-tech effects, but these were essentially
inactive. Overall the rink stayed rather dark, I prefer a bit better
lighting in an unfamiliar rink, except for the slow/romantic numbers.
There's a very 70's mural around the far end of the rink. The floor
surround is carpeted and there's a very healthy number of tables in
the party area. The snack bar and skate shop counter were well lit
and attractive.
Because of the small crowd, the single skate guard spent most of his
time puttering around the snack bar and cleaning up, so I don't know
how strict rule enforcement normally is, certainly nobody was objecting
to anything I did.
========================================================================
New Jersey (908) - Central and Western Areas
Elizabeth, New Brunswick
Phone numbers and addresses checked against a CD-ROM directory 1/96,
RSA directory and USAC/RS directory.
This should be essentially all the roller rinks in the 609 area code.
====
Bridgewater/Somerville, NJ 08807
Extremes
Chimney Rock Road
On Chimney Rock Road, off of Route 22 East near the I-287 interchange.
908-560-0005
Mon 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tues 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wed 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thurs 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fri 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat noon - 11:00 PM
Sun noon - 11:00 PM
Large Floor - 180 x 85
Opening in May
In-lines permitted and for rent
[ mins@cnj.digex.net (timothy mizerak) ]
On March 23 a brand new rink specifically for inline skating will be
opening in Bridgewater, NJ. The place is called Extremes! and will
feature a large floor (185 x 85), an aggressive course, a pro shop,
snack bar, group lessons, etc.
The rink is right where Route 287 and Route 22 intersect, on the East-
bound side of Rt 22.
[grr]
From their taped message, it isn't clear whether they're open yet, as
of April '96. They are positioning themselves as an indoor in-line /
roller hockey facility with an indoor "street" skating course, so it's
hard to tell what if any conventional skating might be available. I'd
regard the schedule above as a tentative "facility open" schedule, since
there's probably going to be after-school and day time hockey in addition
to whatever they've planned in the evenings.
[ lucky@hclibr.eclipse.net (Rufus Chintendrils) ]
I just called to get info, here it is:
185' X 85' inline rink
half pipe, rails, etc. for extreme skating
party rooms
opening in about a week, call to verify [late April or May...]
See you there, Rufus
====
Broadway, NJ 08808
Villa Roller Rink
State Highway 57 in Broadway
Broadway is located in northwestern New Jersey, about 12 miles east
of Easton, Pennsylvania. From I-78, get off at exit 17 - Rt 31 and
take Rt 31 north for about 10 miles into Washington, then take Rt 57
west for about 4 miles to Broadway. The rink should be on the left
side, just before the main intersection.
908-689-6155
Wed 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Adult Nite - Oldies 50's-70's
Fri 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Family Session
USAC/RS Hockey Club
====
Eatontown, NJ 07724
Eatontown Roller Skating Center
97-105 State Highway 35
Eatontown is located in the North Jersey shore area, just inland
from Long Branch. From the Garden State Parkway, get off at
exit 105 - Rt 36 and head eastwards towards Long Branch, for about
a mile, then go around the traffic circle to head north on Rt 35.
The rink should be about a quarter-mile north on the right.
908-542-5858/542-5891
Fri 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Sat ? - ?
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
In-line skates permitted and for rent
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS JO and Speed Clubs
Sessions are weekend only, though the schedule may change in the summer
months. Eatontown also has a roller-hockey program.
====
Edison/New Brunswick, NJ 08820-3504
United Skates of America Skating Center
89 Wood Avenue at Oaktree Road
Edison is about 5 miles northwest of New Brunswick, off Garden State
Parkway exit 131. Head southwest on Rt 27 - Lincoln Highway, after
a few blocks turn right onto Wood Ave. The rink should be a few
blocks further, in the Oaktree Shopping Center at the intersection
with Oaktree Road.
908-494-6655/494-6656
Mon 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Christian Music
Wed 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Family Session
9:00 PM - 1:00 AM Adult-21+ Session - Top 40
Sun 10:00 AM - noon
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Lessons?
9:00 PM - 12:00 PM Adult session
(** more sessions Thursday and Friday **)
I've heard that the Wednesday adult session is supposed to be good.
One oddity is that adults pay $1.00 more than kids for any session!
====
Frenchtown, NJ 08825
Frenchtown Roller Rink
State Highway 29
Frenchtown is located in northwestern New Jersey, along the Delaware
River, about 15 miles south of Easton, Pennsylvania. From US 202, get
off at the Rt 12 - Lambertville exit, and head east on Rt 12 for about
12 miles to Frenchtown, the rink should be nearby on State Highway 29.
908-996-6313
Wed 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Thurs 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Fri 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
9:30 PM - midnite
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic, JO and Speed Clubs
====
Hackettstown, NJ 07840-2514
Hackettstown Family Skating Center
13 State Highway 57
Hackettstown is located in northwestern New Jersey, about 20 miles
east of the Delaware Water Gap area. From I-80, get off at exit 19 -
Rt 517 and head south on Rt 517 for about 5 miles to Hackettstown.
Bear left onto US 46 - Main Street and head southeast for a few
blocks, then bear right onto Rt 182 - Mountain Avenue for about a
mile, then bear right onto State Highway 57. The rink should be
along Rt 57, probably a few miles down near the airport.
908-852-8155
Wed 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Fri 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic Coaches
As of January 1996, this rink is closed due to roof damage from the
winter blizzard. They've since reopened with their normal activities,
which include roller skating, roller hockey, speed skating and skate
park.
====
Jackson/Lakewood, NJ 08527-2255
Jackson Skating Center (Roller Magic)
2270 West County Line Rd
Jackson is northwest of Lakewood. From the I-195 "Great Adventure"
spur, get off at exit 21 and head south on County Road 527. The first
left will be West County Line, the rink may be here, or further east
on the continuation across Jackson Mills-Freehold road.
908-363-2222
Wed 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Fri 4:00 PM - 12:00 PM overlapping 2-3 hour sessions
Sat 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM overlapping 2-3 hour sessions
Sun 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM overlapping 2-3 hour sessions
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ VLABE@emshq.mhs.compuserve.com (Vito Labella) ]
Jackson has no adult session, mostly Rounders and Hockey.
====
Kendall Park/New Brunswick, NJ 08824-1050
Kendall Park Roller Rink
3550 State Highway 27
Kendall Park is about 10 miles southwest of New Brunswick along the
Route 1/Route 27 corridor. From the New Jersey Turnpike exit 8A,
head west on Rt 32, then north on US 130. Turn left onto Monmouth
Junction Road, right onto New Road, cross US 1 and eventually turn
right onto Rt 27. Alternatively, you might want to take US 206 to
Princton, and then Rt 27 north from there.
908-297-3003/297-3776
Tues 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM CCDC Gay Skate (3rd Tuesday only)
Wed 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Family Sesson - pre-teen & parents
Thurs 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Open Skating
Fri 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Family Session - pre-teen & parents
8:30 PM - 11:00 PM Open Skating
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Open Skating
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Open Skating
Sun 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Open Skating
8:30 PM - 11:00 PM Rap & Soul Session
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ VLABE@emshq.mhs.compuserve.com (Vito Labella) ]
Kendall Park skating club is mostly freestyle - good coaches
Sha-Ron or Harold.
[ web gleanings ]
On the third Tuesday of each month, the Community Center Development
Committee of the Personal Liberty Fund (CCDC) holds a Gay and Lesbian
Roller Skating Night at the Kendall Park Rink. Call 908-846-2232 for
more information about the CCDC.
====
Lakewood/Jersey Shore, NJ 08701
Skate Arena
300 Rt 70
Lakewood is located in the North Jersey seashore area, but a bit inland.
From the Garden State Parkway, get off at exit 88 - Rt 70 and head west
on Rt 70. The rink should be about 2 miles west on the left side, just
before the US 9 intersection.
908-363-5583
Tues 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Thurs 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Fri 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sunday 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM Ballroom Dance (not Skating!)
Nice Hardwood Floor - Oval - No coin lockers
Inlines Permitted??? - Leather Quads for Rent
Reasonable Rule Enforcement
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ JDFulton@aol.com (John Fulton) ]
Skate Arena is a nice place to skate. The floor is smooth as glass, the
ambiance fine. What it lacks is customers. We skated on a Saturday night,
albeit in the summer, and the place was practically deserted. This may
explain the lack of a fancy sign on the highway, the gravel parking lot
and the skate-less dancing sessions that presumably are needed to help pay
the rent. While I didn't miss the swerving, shoving, racing teen-agers who
can turn sessions at some rinks into survival lessons. But facts is facts -
those hordes pay the rent and then some.
The rink has a good-sized lobby, which feeds directly into the front of
the hall. To the right is the office, to the left the eating area and then
the snack bar. Along the left side are changing benches, but the rental
lockers are near the office on the right side. There are no coin-operated
lockers, only key lockers that are rented out annually.
Lessons are available from a highly qualified instructor.
[ VLABE@emshq.mhs.compuserve.com (Vito Labella) ]
Lakewood caters to club members only - no artistic night
====
South Amboy, NJ 08879
South Amboy Roller Rink (aka Roller Magic Arena)
North Stevens Ave at 6th Street
South Amboy is on the Raritan Bay, just across from the southern
end of Staten Island - exit 125 on the Garden State Parkway. From
the exit, head south on US 9, after about a mile, turn left onto
Ridgeway. After crossing over railyards, this turns into North
Stevens Avenue. The rink should be a block further at 6th Street.
908-727-1122
Mon 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Adult Morning Session - Organ Music?
Wed 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Adult Morning Session - Organ Music?
Thurs 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Adult Session - Organ Music (cancelled)
Fri 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
9:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Sat 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
9:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Sun 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
RSA Member Rink
According to someone on AOL, the Thursday session was cancelled to make
time for some roller hockey teams, though one or both of the adult
moning sessions may still be organ music. I've heard that this is a
relatively small rink.
[ mechlyn@aol.com (Michelle Brown) - edited ]
I skated an organ session in South Amboy on Wednesday. They don't
have a club anymore, but is a fairly nice rink. They have an organ
session for the "old timers" as they call them.
====
Union/Union County/Newark, NJ 07083-6800
Skate 22
1235 West Chestnut Street off Route 22
Union is south of Newark, along the Garden State Parkway. Get off
at exit 140 and head west on Rt 22, about a mile down, make a sharp
right onto Chestnut Street, the rink should be almost at the corner.
908-686-6838
Tuesday 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM Adult Skate
Good Hardwood Floor - Practice Area
Inlines Permitted ?? - Suede Leather Quads for rent
[ JDFulton@aol.com (John Fulton) ]
This rink has a large practice area with only one entrance, a good
feature, but with a low wall overlooking the rink which tends to
attract spectators.
The rink is a little difficult to find because of competing signs on
Route 22, a busy shopping-strip highway.
At the Saturday night session we attended over a Labor Day weekend,
the two friendly floor guards maintained order while allowing skaters
the freedom to skate backward. We enjoyed ourselves immensely, even
though we had to endure a lengthy weapons search at the entrance. The
clientelle present at this session was predominantly African-American.
[grr: a glance at a NJ map suggests this rink would serve both Newark
and the Oranges, though it's not really part of either area]
========================================================================
*************************************************************************
* Neighborhood/Rink Safety Notes *
*************************************************************************
* *
* Specific skating rinks in this section are tagged as *NOT* being *
* located in in good neighborhoods or suffering from other potential *
* personal safety problems. *
* *
* If you choose to visit them, please take appropriate precautions *
* for your own safety and peace of mind. See the safety section in *
* the overview posting for some specific cautions and suggestions. *
* *
*************************************************************************
New Jersey (201) - North Jersey
Newark, Hackensack, Jersey City, Patterson
Phone numbers and addresses checked against a CD-ROM directory 1/96,
RSA directory and USAC/RS directory.
This should be essentially all the roller rinks in the 609 area code.
====
Bellville/Newark, NJ 07104
Branch Brook Roller Rink
7th and Clifton Avenues - Branch Brook Park
The rink appears to be at the extreme southern end of the park,
on Clifton Avenue just north of the I-280 interchange.
201-482-8900
Daily 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thurs 9:30 PM - 1:00 AM Adult-21+ Session
Sat 9:30 PM - 2:00 AM Adult-21+ Session
Wood Floor - 160'x80'
This is an indoor roller rink built by the Newark City and Essex County
goverments and operated by United Skates of America. The roller rink
replaces a municipal ice rink that burned down some years ago, but
the opening was delayed until mid-1996 due to changes in the city
administration and difficulty in finding an operator for the rink.
The rink features a pro shop, skate rental area, refreshment stands,
room for private parties, vending machines and a game area.
The rink is open seven days a week, with late skates for adults 21 and
older with valid ID. Everyone coming into the rink also must pass
through a metal detector for security reasons.
====
Bergenfield/Bergen County/North Jersey, NJ 07621-4316
The Rink
450 South Washington Ave (Teaneck Rd)
From either I-95 or the Garden State Parkway, take Route 4, get off
at the Teaneck Road exit and head north towards Bergenfield. Teaneck
Road changes into South Washington Ave and the rink is located about
2 miles north of Rt 4, on the left side. There's a small lighted
sign by the road.
201-384-5000(schedule)/384-2474
Fri 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM Christian Music Night (Summer???)
Sat 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
10:00 PM - 2:00 AM Adult Only (Funk/Rap DJ) - Except Summer!
Sun 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Family Night
9:00 PM - midnight Adult Only (DJ Charlie Caz)
** additional weekday 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM session in the summer - call
Hardwood - Center Island - Practice Area(s)
Inlines Permitted - Rented???
Flexible Rule Enforcement
RSA Member Rink
[ grr@tharsis.com ]
Reports are that the hours have been cut back due to community
objections to late night activity. I still haven't been there,
but some folks that have say that the Rink is much further down
the Rap vs. Dance side of the music spectrum than other area rinks.
[ JDFulton@aol.com (John Fulton) ]
The Rink's exterior is well-maintained, and so is the parking lot.
The pavement is in excellent shape, the spaces are clearly marked,
and the lighting more than adequate. There are ample parking spaces,
or so it might seem -- but the lot does fill up.
The Rink is a prosperous business, and the packed schedule reflects
that. Clearly, the owners know what they are doing -- but they aren't
overly concerned with the food they serve. It is edible but....
In an unusual twist, the center of the skating floor is fenced with
a brass railing. There is seating at either end of the oval, and in
the middle, in a high red booth, sits the DJ. One of the ends is
carpeted, but the other has been turned into a small practice floor
lined with a U-shaped bench. The effect is rather elegant.
The offbeat design continues beyond the floor, in that the skating
floor is sunken. Put another way, you have to step down to enter the
skating floor. While that presents no difficulty for an experienced
skater, it can be intimidating for a novice skater.
One of the Rink's strong points is its provisions for practice. It has
two practice areas. One is a small triangle that is nearly worthless,
in large part because it overlooks the main skating area and, so, is
often lined with spectators. But the other practice area, a generous
size rectangle, is a gem. Only a small section overlooks the main rink
and, consequently, only that section becomes cluttered with spectators.
Much of the rest is lined with flexible walls covered with carpeting.
Rarely is the practice area too crowded to use. However, it is in
almost constant use by skaters actually practicing.
The music at the adult sessions is largely black/urban, and the night
I went, the disc jockey was African-American. I saw no violence nor
incidents. What I saw, instead, was a mixed group of very skilled
skaters, many middle-aged, skate-dancing at moderate speed -- and
enjoying the late-night hors d'oeuvres. The average skill level was
high indeed.
While on the subject of the adult sessions, it should be noted that the
Rink allows smoking in a designated area during the adult sessions only.
When children and teens are skating, smoking is strictly prohibited.
There is, however, a covered porch at the entrance, and smokers sometimes
congregate there during juvenile and evening sessions.
The rest of the rink is fairly typical. There are video game machines,
candy machines, change machines, and rental lockers. Group and private
lessons are available, but the group lessons are pricey. The sound
system is adequate; the floor has some instructional markings for skaters
practicing their edges, but not a full set.
[grr]
I drove up to the Rink one evening only to find they'd cancelled the
"big" Saturday night adult session for the Summer. I guess I should
have called first... Also Friday night was supposed to be a late
adult skate, but is not Christian music night, not sure whether this
is a summer modification or a format change. Some of the afternoon
sessions in the summer are "rainy day" only, so call.
====
Florham Park/Morristown/Morris County, NJ 07932
Florham Park Skating Center
192 Ridgedale Avenue at Columbia
Florham Park is located between Morristown and Newark on the old
Columbia Turnpike. From either I-78 or I-287, take Rt 24 to exit
2B, go 5 traffic lights and make a right, the rink is on the left
at the intersection of the the Clolumbia Turnpike and Ridgedale
avenue, right in Florham Park.
201-377-0465
Tues 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Wed 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thurs 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Organ Night (Live 1st & 3rd)
Fri 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat 10:00 AM - noon
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Beech Wood Floor - Medium Size - No Practice Area
"Rink Safe" In-lines permitted and available for rent
Posted Rules Strictly Enforced
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ ocfernan@MailBox.Syr.Edu (Orlando C. Fernando) - edited ]
Florham Park is a moderate sized rink. Skate direction and type are
designated by lighted signs in the rink. Mostly Top-40 music on prime
time. Rentals are available.
[ segot@segot.gti.net (Chris Segot) ]
The Florham Park Roller Rink in Florham Park NJ was established in 1937
and has continued to operate at full speed to this day. We continue to
excel in parties for all ages as well as our public sessions, run hockey
camps ad clinics, and have had a resurgence in our artistic program.
We still try to operate our rink to high standards and hope to continue
and support the sport of roller skating. If you are in the area and
want to stop by our phone is 201-377-0465.
[ Chris is the Manager at the rink ]
[ sbartell@worldnet.att.net (Scott Bartell) - edited ]
Florham Park installed a brand new wooden surface (beech wood) in
August '95. There are now 3 sets of standard figure circles, 2 loops
and it is plenty big for dance. There are both standard USAC and JO
clubs. The paint scheme is gray with flourescent striping that will
soon be accented with black lights. No pro shop as of yet, but there
is now a professional on staff. The sound system was recently upgraded
also.
Rules are strictly enforced. Group lessons are on Saturday mornings and
private lesson are by appointment. There is a large party business and
the rink is available for rental. The rink is in a safe area, with a
well lit parking lot.
[ sbartell@worldnet.att.net (Scott Bartell) - update ]
Ron Baldwin of the Holiday Skating Center will be playing the organ at
our rink every 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month. Also Stephanie Walker
has joined the professional staff to teach free style, while I will be
teaching figures and dance.
[ Scott is the Head Professional at Florham Park ]
====
Montvale, NJ 07645
The Rink (aka Montvale Hockey Rink)
1A Chestnut Ridge Rd, off GSP exit 172
Montvale is located in northeastern New Jersey, almost on the New York
border. From the Garden State Parkway, get off at exit 172 and head
south on Chestnut Ridge Road. The rink should be about a mile from
the interchange, nearly alongside the Parkway.
201-391-9068
Tues 7:15 PM - 8:00 PM Group Lesson
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Artistic Session - Live Organ Music
Wed 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Thurs 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Fri 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Teen Night
Sat 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
9:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Hardwood Floor - 100'x200' - Pratice Area
Snack Bar
USAC/RS JO, Speed and Hockey Clubs
[ 75275.1351@compuserve.com (Francis M. Barton) - edited ]
The Rink in Montvale, New Jersy is a fine roller rink, with a hardwood
floor approximately 100 x 200 feet, and also a practice area. They
have an excellent organist and professional staff. There is a full
service snack bar.
Bill Fellows plays the organ each Tuesday evening, with the exception
of the third Tuesday of the month when he has commitments at another
rink. On that day, they play his tapes. Bill's playing is excellent,
he's one of the top rink organists in the area.
Bill and his sister Rose are also professionals at the rink. He usually
teachs the group class before the Tuesday session. This is a friendly
group of people with a lot of old-time skaters from years ago. Rose
fills in on the off Tuesdays. Both are of them are excellent teachers,
they competed in International Style dance skating and stress this style
in their classes.
Don't bother with the other North Jersey rinks, just come to The Rink
in Montvale!
[ aboulanger@ldeo.columbia.edu (Albert Boulanger) ]
Unfortunatly this rink does not have an adult sesssion with contemporary
dance music. Too bad -- it is run by the same people who run The Rink
in Bergenfield.
[grr]
According to the attendant they also have a Roller Hockey league. They
are listed as The Montvale Hockey Rink in some in-line hockey lists.
====
Wallington, NJ 07057
Inline Skating Club (was Wallington Skating Rink)
Wallington is located in North Jersey, just east of Passaic.
Main Avenue
201-473-8900
Fri 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Sat 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Mostly Hockey
[ JDFulton@aol.com (John Fulton) - edited ]
The former Wallington Skating Rink has now reopened after having endured
the indignity of being first a batting cage place and then a paintball
war zone. The inside is nicely cleaned up, but the parking lot and the
driveway are somewhat holey. The old maple floor has been restored and
is now lined by a hockey-style barrier - half plywood/half plexiglas.
The rink is now a club of some sort (with, I gather, a $10 annual fee)
and is called something like the Inline Skating Club of America. I
haven't skate there, but I escorted a couple of Girl Scouts to a town
wide Girl Scout skate, and the kids seemd to be having a great time.
[grr]
According to the attendant, the rink has been open about a year and is
mostly a roller hockey facility. They do have limited open skating on
weekends, the hours indicated kiddy matinee sessions.
====
Wayne/Paterson/North Jersey, NJ 07470
Skaters World Roller Rink
Hamburg Turnpike at Valley Road
Wayne is located in northeastern New Jersey about 25 miles west of
New York City. The rink is actually a bit north of Wayne, where
the Wayne-Paterson suburbs abut on some hill and lake countryside.
From I-80, get off at the US 202/Rt 23 exit and head north on Rt 23
for about 3 miles, to the tangle where US 202 and Rt 23 diverge.
Turn right onto Rt 504 - Ratzer road and head east on Ratzer for
about two miles, then turn left to head north on Valley road for
about a half-mile, then left again onto the Hamburg Turnpike. The
rink is in the old Ramapo Shopping Center, which will be set back
off the road a little ways on the the right, between Valley Road
and Alps Road.
201-694-9440/694-9441
Tues 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM Adult-17 Rap/Top-40 DJ
Wed 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM Scout Discount
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Indoor Skate Park (see text)
Thurs 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM Adult-17 Rap/Top-40 DJ
Fri 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Indoor Skate Park (see text)
8:30 PM - 11:30 PM Teen Night
Sat 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Kids Fun Time
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Kids Fun Time
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM Kids Fun Time
9:00 PM - 1:00 AM Hip Hop, House & Raggae (13+ only)
Sun 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM Kids Fun Time
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM Kids Fun Time
6:00 MP - 8:30 PM Family Night
Hardwood - 140'x70' - 3 Padded Poles - Fair Condition - 16'x20' Kids Floor
Skate Shop - Snack Bar - Games
In-line skates permitted and available for rent
Fairly Strict Rule Enforcement
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic and JO Clubs
[ JDFulton@aol.com (John Fulton) ]
Skater's World is situated in a shopping center that appears to have
had better days. The rink's building seems to have been designed for
something else, perhaps a grocery store or large drugstore. The floor
is of adequate size, but no larger.
The lobby leads directly to the rear of the rink itself. As you walk
along an aisle, the office and video arcade are to the left. Next on
the left is a party area where, on many nights, an ersatz disco is set
up for teen-agers and near-teens to dance. As the aisle curves to the
right there is the refreshment stand (the pizza's good) and the eating
area. Then comes a tot practice area, then seating and lockers and
the skate rental window. As the aisle curves around again there is
more seating and another set of lockers.
Skater's World can be a nice place to skate, but there's no denying that
the place is shabby and getting shabbier. The lobby could use a face
lift, at the very least, the windows could be washed and leftover poster
glue or wayward paint scraped off.
Why I do not know - There seem to be plenty of paying customers, though
perhaps not as many since the opening of the Wheels in Motion rink in
nearby[?] Wharton. Most rural and suburban rinks would presumably be
delighted -- make that ecstatic -- to draw the crowds that flock to
Skater's World.
[ grr ]
Skaters World is not an easy place to find. The major roads in the
area have evolved into weary limited-accesss Escape from New York
routes, with poor signage, while the local roads must have evolved
from cowpaths. The rink is on one of the older roads and by the time
I actually found it, the Thursday night session was nearly over, and
there were only a handfull of skaters still present. I don't know if
that session is dying or everyone just leaves early.
The rink is much as John describes it. I get the impression it once
catered to wall-to-wall crowds and perhaps still does on teen nights,
but the overall effect is tired and run down. The floor isn't too
rough but the coating has been about half chipped off, quick sanding
and recoating would do wonders, and a general cleaning and repainting
in other than uniform dusty and dirtied black would help. Apparently
the previous owner sold out to open the Wheels in Motion rink in
Wharton, and whoever's running it now is just letting it go downhill.
The decor feateres a lot of neon and other lighting effects such as
strobes and spotlights, but except for a few signs, none of the neon
or strobes seemed to be working - just bars of colored lights and a
couple of color beam projectors. The sound system is decent, about
twenty midsized speaker cabinets suspended from walls and four woofer
pairs embedded in the barriers. The music was mostly along the
Rap/House/R&B vein, though there may be more variety when the place
is hopping.
A couple days a week they have what they call "The Grind", where they
setup up an indoor skate park with portable ramps, rails, stunt boxes
and whatnot, with dancing to alternative music. Helmets and pads are
required, also parentally signed waivers for minors. Tuesdays and
Thursdays are alternately advertised as both Adult or College Discount
nights, while Friday and Saturday are aimed at teens. They also offer
group lessons and have an artistic program, probably mostly freestyle.
====
Wharton/Dover/Morris County, NJ 07885-1209
Wheels in Motion (was Roller World)
316 NJ Route 15 South
From I-80, get off at exit 34a - Rt 15 - Wharton, and head north
on Rt 15, then make at the U-turn sign, cross over to the southbound
lanes to head back towards Wharton. The rink is on the right hand
side just after you pass back under I-80 - look for a large building
with a big "Roller Skating" sign out by the street. Because Rt 15
south is the wrong way from the main Rt 15/I-80 interchange, don't
be surprised if you seem to get bounced around, look for signs for
Rt 15 South and to Dover, the rink is in the business strip after you
finally cross back under I-80.
201-328-7900
Tues 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM Int/Adv Roller Dance Group Lesson
8:30 PM - 11:00 PM Live Organ Music - Al Deluca
Thurs 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM After School Session
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Adult Group Lesson
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Adult Night/College Discount
Fri 9:30 PM - 10:30 AM Beginner Roller Dance Group Lessons
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM Live Organ Music
4:30 PM - 7:00 PM After School session
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Weekend Blast-Off
Sat 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Childrens Group Lessons
11:00 PM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun 11:00 PM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Weekend Wind-Up
Large Hardwood Floor - Ovoid - 200'x90' - Kids Practice Area
"Rink Safe" Inlines Permitted - Plastic Quads/Inlines for rent
RSA Member Rink
USAC/RS Artistic, JO and Speed Clubs
[ JDFulton@aol.com (John Fulton) ]
Wheels in Motion is a first-class operation with something for everybody.
The floor is big - the owner says it is the largest "skating surface on
the East Coast". In addition, this rink publishes a professional-quality
newsletter that's worth signing up for.
The owner has gone looking for talent: He "stole" the organist and pro
from one rink and hired the speed-skating coach from another.
The "shuffle skate" is the specialty of the rink rats, who can be so
obnoxious that non-shufflers sometimes have trouble entering or leaving
the floor. I've seen the floor guards resort to forming a phalanx merely
to let a skater off the floor.
[ VLABE@emshq.mhs.compuserve.com (Vito Labella) ]
Wharton is great for artistic skaters on Tuesday night.
[ grr ]
Wheels in Motion opened in 1993, the rink had operated as Roller World
during the early 80's and then as a boat showroom during the interim.
The owner made substantial rennovations and argressively promotes both
the family-fun aspect, adult and artistic skating aspects.
I've visted this rink twice during a fund-raiser skate for the artistic
club. It's a pretty nice rink, quite large with both a large floor and
generous surrounding areas and a large snack bar. The floor is in good
condition, though a bit bumpy in places. I don't know if this is due
to the short boards, or perhaps abuse during the period the rink was
closed.
They have a theatre pipe organ, rather than the usual Hammond B3. It
sounds pretty nice, but the pipes appear to be concealed in the suspended
ceiling rather than being visible as at the Oaks rinks. I'd like to
catch the normal adult/artistic night sometime to get a better feel for
how it sounds. They also have an assortment of mirror-balls and neon
lights, effective and pretty. The sound system looks pretty powerful
with booth ceiling level speakers and speakers set into the barriers
at floor level in the corners.
The only negative points are the little metal ramps leading down from the
floor to the carpeted surround level, these seemed to be catching a few
skaters not familiar with the rink, and restroom entry design, which
provides a sightline from the ladies entry to the mens urinals and lets
a person crashing out the door of one restroom bump or pinch a person
trying to open the door of the other. Normally, I wouldn't mention
something like this, but it just seemed strange that it hadn't yet been
corrected in an otherwise well thought out and maintained layout.
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