Local groups celebrate new park equipment with winter time bash

To celebrate an upcoming project, three local entities hosted a free ice skating party last week on the temperamental Beluga Lake.

The weather and the ice held out, and community members young and old were able to enjoy skating on a portion of the lake last Friday at Ben Walters Park, thanks in part to skates loaned from the Homer Hockey Association.

The Rotary Club of Homer-Kachemak Bay, City of Homer and McDonald’s teamed up to offer a bonfire, hot chocolate, hot dogs and music at the free event. It was to promote new playground equipment for the park that was purchased by the Rotary and McDonald’s.

It will later be installed by city staff, according to Matt Steffy, parks maintenance coordinator for the city.

Community members enjoy a free ice skating party hosted by Rotary Club of Homer-Kachemak Bay, McDonalds and the City of Homer on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019 at Ben Walters Park and Beluga Lake in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Some youngsters eye the hot chocolate and other offerings at a free ice skating party hosted by Rotary Club of Homer-Kachemak Bay, McDonalds and the City of Homer on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019 at Ben Walters Park and Beluga Lake in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)