Channing Pond now has a measured ice depth of 5 inches and is available for resident pond skating!
Once temperatures maintain a lengthy freeze, Parks staff monitor ice depths daily with updates being posted here. All department pond status decisions are final.
Pond skating is never 100% safe, and all outdoor ice skating at Channing Pond is AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Every person under the age of 18, MUST be accompanied by a supervising adult whenever using Channing Pond.
ALWAYS RESPECT TOWN SIGNS POSTED AT CHANNING POND AND DO NOT VANDALIZE TOWN OF DOVER LOCKS OR PROPERTY!
During the winter months Channing Pond will be available for outdoor ice skating once Dover Parks and Recreation has ensured adequate ice depths. In the state of Massachusetts, 4-5 inches of clear, blue pond ice is needed in order to allow outdoor, public ice skating. (To read all MA state guidelines on ice thickness and safety, visit: mass.gov/service-details/ice-strength-and-safety) Our ice depths are measured manually, with Parks Staff measuring ice depths around various locations of the pond before declaring it open. This process is then continued throughout the winter.
When adequate ice depths are measured by Dover Parks and Recreation, ice skating on Channing Pond is permitted during daylight hours and when pond lights are turned on.
- The Channing Pond lights are on a set timer that automatically turn on at dusk and remain on until either 8:00pm on weeknights, or 9:00pm over weekends and school breaks.
Parks Staff do all that they can to keep ice surfaces clear for resident use, but in the event of winter storms and clean-ups, snow removal on roadways will take precedence, and Channing Pond will declared closed and may not be used until conditions improve and the department re-opens the pond to the public.
Department ice depth measurement decisions are final with updates only being sent out when necessary, but are typically posted on weekdays between 12:00 - 1:00pm.
For detailed winter ice depth updates straight to your phone - including surface status, hours of permitted use, pond lights schedule and pond information - visit the Town of Dover: Notify Me Center, enter your email and/or cell phone and scroll to the 'News Flash' section, selecting 'Parks & Recreation' for all Channing Pond updates.