The Mitchell Park Ice Rink Celebration Committee on Thursday announced the launch of a community-wide fundraising campaign to support construction of a new permanent ice rink in Mitchell Park, as the village’s Business Improvement District asked to be included as an authorized village contact on the project, which has been in the works for more than a year and a half.
The park has been without a seasonal ice rink since its prior rink fell into disrepair several years ago. The village received a $1.2 million grant from New York State in the summer of 2024 to construct a new, permanent rink, which could be repurposed for other public community events during the summer months.
This week, the Friends of Mitchell Park, the nonprofit organization whose mission is to support no-cost, open to the public village-approved cultural, educational and artistic activities, announced a dollar-for-dollar donation match of up to $100,000.
The Ice Rink Celebration Committee says it has received the first $25,000 donation pledged by an anonymous donor.
“We’re excited to support this effort by offering matching funds because we believe deeply in what this project represents,” said Christine Kelly of Friends of Mitchell Park. “Mitchell Park is the heart of Greenport, and this rink will bring new life to it in the winter months. Now we can resume Free Skate Sunday, one of our signature events.”
The Ice Rink Celebration Committee is co-chaired by by Lisa Gillooly and Peggy Lauber.
“Bringing ice skating back to Mitchell Park is something I’m incredibly proud to be part of,” said Ms. Gillooly in an announcement of the campaign on Thursday. “This isn’t just about a rink, it’s about creating energy and connection in Greenport in the quieter months. A winter destination like this has the power to support our businesses, bring families together, and make our village feel vibrant year-round.”
“I still remember skating on the very first day that the original ice rink opened 20 years ago. It was such a special moment for this community,” said Ms. Lauber. “We all miss that rink and realize the importance of constructing a permanent seasonal facility giving future generations that same joy and sense of place.“
Greenport BID Chairman Rich Vandenburgh has in recent months been asking the village to look into the installation of a temporary ice rink instead, due to the lengthy process of preparing for the construction of the permanent rink. At a February work session, he told the Village Board that he has met with a skating rink company that could install a temporary rink, which would be removed in the off-season, for less than $700,000.
Greenport Mayor Kevin Stuessi said at that time that the grant was for a permanent rink.
On behalf of the BID, Mr. Vandenburgh sent a letter to the Village Board April 7 asking that the BID be granted “immediate inclusion” as an authorized village contact agency to discuss the program with the state agency that provided the grant funding, “monitoring the progress of the grant administration and coordinating updates with the village” on the processing of the grant.
“While it is readily understood that no progress has been made for the past 20 months by the village administration on processing this grant, the BID is seeking to assist the village in exploring the options to continue operating under the SAM program” or pivoting to another form of funding “that will allow our village to benefit from New York State’s assistance in returning an acceptable ice rink to Mitchell Park for the upcoming 2026/27 season,” said Mr. Vandenburgh in the letter. “Allowing the BID to take on a much more substantial role in the process of working with the village to facilitate its return would be a credible reflection of words having tangible meaning.”
The Mitchell Park Ice Rink Celebration Committee has been meeting regularly since October 2025 to guide planning, outreach, and fundraising efforts, according to its press release Thursday. It has launched a website, where the community can make donations, at greenporticerink.org.
The fundraising campaign will culminate in a village-wide celebration on August 8, 2026, marking the 30th Anniversary of Mitchell Park and coinciding with the arrival of the U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle, a 295-foot tall ship stopping in after its race from New York Harbor to Boston Harbor. The event will feature live music and entertainment, a community boat parade at dusk and fundraising activities.
“This is a pivotal moment for the project,” said Mr. Stuessi. “With the matching funds in place, every donation brings us closer to delivering a lasting recreational space for our community.”
The Eagle is slated to be in Greenport from Aug. 7 through Aug. 10 as part of its America 250 events up and down the eastern seaboard.
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