Channing Pond now has a measured ice depth of 5 inches and is available for resident pond skating! (however like anything in nature, depths and surface conditions may vary) This decision will stand until further notice. Parks staff will continue to monitor ice depths daily, with all updates being posted at: doverma.gov/601/Winter-Ice-Depth-Updates
Outdoor ice skating at Channing Pond will be permitted during daylight hours and when pond lights are on.
- Pond lights at Channing Pond are on a timer that will turn on at dusk, when there is adequate ice depth and Parks & Recreation has opened the pond. Lights will remain on from dusk until 8:00pm on weeknights, and 9:00pm on weekends and school breaks.
- 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.
Department pond status decisions are final and will stand until further notice - ALWAYS RESPECT ALL 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.
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.
All outdoor ice skating at Channing Pond is AT YOUR OWN RISK and minors must be accompanied by an adult whenever at Channing Pond.
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.