Sports and Recreation

Ice, In-line and Roller Skating

Adults and kids alike enjoy this immensely popular activity and can be seen skating on the nearly 5-mile-long bike path at Greenfield Lake or in the lighted skating facility, the Greenfield Grind Skate Park (see Skateboarding in this chapter). Inline skating is banned in Wilmington's downtown central business area and Historic District. Recreational and commuter skaters on city streets and sidewalks can be fined. So where do you go to skate? UNCW offers long stretches of wide, paved walks, including smooth, curvy stretches surrounding the lake at the university commons. One of the best places to skate is the Loop at Wrightsville Beach. Consisting of paved walks totaling approximately 2.45 miles, the Loop runs along Wrightsville Beach Park, Causeway Drive, Lumina Avenue and Salisbury Street. There are plenty of places to stop for a cool refreshment or a dip in the ocean along the way. The Loop is busy during peak times with walkers, runners and strollers packing the pathway, so an early morning skate is just the ticket.

Bald Head Island is a true skate haven, where the only other traffic on the smoothly paved byways is golf carts and bicycles.

Jelly Beans Family Skating Center
5216 Oleander Dr., Wilmington
(910) 791-6000

Jelly Beans hosts its own inline hockey league for ages 14 and younger. Players must provide their own equipment, which may be purchased on site. A team jersey is provided. Jelly Beans offers instruction, practice and game time. Sessions are held in winter, spring and fall. A summer camp is also offered. The registration fee for each 10-week session is $110 per player with discounts for families with more than one child. Hours vary, so please call ahead.

Wilmington Ice House
7201 Ogden Business Ln., Wilmington
(910) 686-1987

Grab the gang and hit the ice at Wilmington Ice House, the area's only ice-skating rink. They offer daily open skate times, skating and hockey classes, toddler classes and figure-skating lessons. Wilmington Ice House also has youth and adult hockey camps and leagues for the more serious skaters. 

Oak Island Recreation Department
3003 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island
(910) 278-4747

The Recreation Department of the Town of Oak Island offers an In-Line Winter Hockey League for youths 6 to 18 years of age. Protective gear and skates are required. Registration is held at the recreation center. All games and practices are held at Middleton Park.