Watch CBS News

Warmer Winter Sent More People To The Rink

DETROIT (WWJ) - It may sound counter-intuitive, but the warmer weather we've seen this winter is actually being credited with contributing to an increase in attendance at this year's Campus Martius Park and ice rink.

"With the chillers and stuff we've got the rink held up perfect, and the warmer weather brought more people out more often; it was great for the rink and great for downtown," said Robert Gregory, president of the Detroit 300 Conservancy which runs the rink.

More than a 250,000 visitors came to Campus Martius this winter season ... and rink attendance was up 10-percent.

"There will be thousands of people coming to the park on a daily basis. We have music series during the week at lunchtime as well as on the evenings. We call it Detroit's gathering place; and people come from all over for different reasons, whether they just want to chill out and meet a friend, have a cup of coffee or have now a glass of wine at the bistro or hear some great music," said Gregory.

Detroit 300 Conservatory is a non-profit that runs the park. The ice rink closed Sunday and plans for a spring conversion are in full bloom.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.