Like to skate ? Outdoor skating requires a thaw after a snow, then a cold spell, but when it happens it can be amazing! There are plenty of places to skate around Acton in the winter, given the right conditions.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• The Skating Pond in South Acton -- Also known as the "Dog Pond" in the summer, this pond in the Great Hill Conservation Area (behind the South Acton firehouse) is shallow and freezes over well. It isn't very interesting, but there is one hockey goal available (as of 2014).
• Inch and Guggins Brooks - This conservation area located in West Acton between Rt. 111 and Central St. has a number of shallow canals which freeze over completely and provide skating highways for exploring.
• Brucewood Rd. - The area between Brucewood Rd. and Brucewood Rd. Ext. has provided us with great skating among the trees. There is parking at the end of Brucewood Rd. Follow the drainage ditch along the west side of the "planned road" and it leads into Coles Brook, which drains the east side of Great Hill, passes under Arborwood Rd., and eventually feeds into Fort Pond Brook where School St. meets Law's Brook Road