In the heart of Nyack during winter’s chill, the skating pond was a hub of excitement and joy. Located near the present-day intersection of the New York State Thruway and Route 59, the pond drew children and families who skated and raced across its frozen surface under the glow of floodlights. Long before the area became home to the West Gate Inn and the Nyack Soft Cloth Car Wash, it was a bustling scene of laughter and camaraderie.

Back in 1888, the pond often froze by late November, with skating beginning shortly thereafter. Today, as thousands of drivers pass by the site on busy roads, few realize the rich history beneath their wheels. For decades, children shared this cherished space with ice companies that harvested and stored ice, shaping the pond’s unique story.
Where Was the Skating Pond?

The pond’s exact location can be challenging to visualize today due to significant changes over time. A current map shows the approximate area as a flat rectangular plateau near the entrance to NYS Thruway Interchange 11, bounded by Route 59, High Avenue, and Highland Avenue. The pond’s dam and a small section of Nyack Brook can still be seen near the rear of the Walgreens parking lot, offering a subtle reminder of this once-beloved site.

The Origin of the Pond
A photo from around 1890 shows Lydecker’s Pond with wagons parked along Main Street and the Nyack Ice Company’s ice house visible on the far right. The pond, formed by several springs, occupied a flat expanse bounded by upper Main Street (Route 59), Highland Avenue (Route 9W), and High Street. These springs joined to create Nyack Brook, which flows downhill along Main Street, twisting through downtown Nyack before emptying into the Hudson River at Memorial Park.

In 1869, Smith Lydecker deepened and cleared land between Nyack Turnpike and Oak Hill Cemetery to create a large pond for ice farming. Seven years later, he expanded the operation, clearing four additional acres of marshland west of the original pond. Dams and rock retaining walls ensured the ponds held water. Effectively, the Nyack Skating Pond consisted of two connected ponds.
Severe storms often breached the dams, leading to frequent flooding. To address this, gates were installed at the pond’s outlet into the brook in 1891. A local volunteer managed the gates until 1930. Despite these efforts, Nyack Brook continued to cause major floods in downtown Nyack every 10 to 15 years after the ponds’ creation.
The Nyack Ice Company
At the time, ice was essential for refrigeration. By 1879, Lydecker harvested 350 tons of ice from the pond—a modest amount compared to the Knickerbocker Ice Company’s larger operations at Rockland Lake. The frozen pond also served as a winter playground for local children.

Lydecker built a large ice storage house along the southeast side of the pond for year-round ice distribution. In 1887, John N. Felter established the Nyack Ice Company, promising pure ice at reasonable prices sourced from the “clear mountain lake” on Mountain View Avenue and a pond in Mount Moor (West Nyack). Felter eventually took over Lydecker’s operations, renaming the site Felter’s Pond. Horse-drawn wagons delivered ice to Nyack homes year-round.

By 1921, ice production through refrigeration replaced ice farming. The Nyack Ice Company moved to the corner of Clinton Avenue and Franklin Street, where it manufactured ice using spring water. The company also distributed coal, becoming known as the Nyack Ice and Coal Company.
Nyack Skating Pond: A Community Hub

By 1915, the Village of Nyack owned and managed the pond, transforming it into a popular skating venue. Floodlights enabled night skating. During the 1930s, advertisements in the Journal News promoted the pond, referred to as both Nyack Skating Pond and Nyack Ice Pond. Children eagerly awaited skating season, which typically began in mid-December or January. The village provided skate-sharpening services on-site. However, only one free skating day was offered weekly, frustrating the Nyack PTA.

Skating Races and Community Events

In the 1930s, the Nyack Skating Club hosted skating races on the pond, drawing local and regional talent. Christmas Day 1932 featured a one-mile match between Rockland County champion Carl Schultz of Spring Valley and Martin Nicholas of Englewood, NJ. Two years later, a two-mile race involved a unique scoring system: the first lap awarded one point, with each subsequent lap earning more points until the final lap scored 16. Women’s races also became a highlight.
Tragedy at the Pond
While the pond was a source of joy, it was not without danger. In March 1897, a tragic accident occurred despite posted signs prohibiting skating. Twelve-year-old Mamie Lynch fell through the ice. Seventeen-year-old Arthur Lawrence rushed to save her, using a plank to reach the broken ice. Before Mamie could grab it, the ice beneath Arthur gave way, and he fell into the freezing water. Although rescuers managed to save Mamie, Arthur drowned. No skating was allowed for the remainder of that winter.

The Pond’s Decline
Neglect eventually led to the pond’s stagnation. In 1946, the village sold the property, despite prior promises not to do so. The pond was drained, transforming into a mosquito-infested swamp. By 1955, the construction of the Thruway erased any trace of the pond. The West Gate Inn was built over its eastern middle in 1961. As time passes, fewer people remember the vibrant winter days at the Nyack Skating Pond. It is up to us to preserve its memory and the joy it brought to generations.

Special Note:
The Historical Society of the Nyacks is seeking volunteers for 2025. We will need help our famous House Tour in May, 2025 among other efforts. We are seeking a treasurer to work with the society’s trustees. Contact info@nyackhistory.org
Mike Hays lived in the Nyacks for 38-years. He worked for McGraw-Hill Education in New York City for many years. Hays serves as President of the Historical Society of the Nyacks, Vice-President of the Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center, and Upper Nyack Historian. . Married to Bernie Richey, he enjoys cycling and winters in Florida. You can follow him on Instagram as UpperNyackMike.
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