DEL MONTE GARDENS ROLLER RINK

In an unassuming building, almost invisible against the cityscape, peals of excited laughter and merriment ring out. It's party time at Del Monte Gardens Skating Arena. Travel back in time to hardwood floors (instead of the painful concrete!), clean and festive surroundings, a family atmosphere, and decent prices.

Highlights:
Paul says: "It's nice to relax together as a family, and most of the groups we saw there were families. Kids as young as two, and as old as high school skated holding their parents' hands. It's a good feeling."
Julie adds: "This is a family place where you're might very well be greeted by the owner, who knows many of the skaters by name. The dress codes, safety and courtesy rules are enforced which lets parents enjoy the time at the rink rather than worry about it. There's a full snack bar for hungry skaters, and an arcade for those needing a rest. The viewing area is nicely set up, with comfortable raised benches for those non-skaters who want to watch their children or grandchildren."

Highlights include:

· Special Classes In addition to the usual introductory junior and adult classes, Del Monte Gardens offers Figure, Freestyle and Dance instruction. If you're going to skate more than a couple of times in a month, the classes are a much better bargain than single use prices, and those skaters enrolled in classes also get in free during a weekly public session.
· Birthday Parties One of the mainstays here is the party program. Parties can be arranged during both public and private skate times. Birthday cakes and ice cream may be brought in to complement the foods at the snack bar, and there are plenty of tables to accommodate guests.
· We spent a considerable amount of time in the Beginner's Area, attached to the main floor yet off to the side out of the traffic pattern. For Elisha (5), who was reluctant to try his first time skating abilities on a floor with people 4x his size, the beginner's area proved to be a safe haven that still let him feel part of the action.

This is a fun afternoon outing with the kids. Athletic (David, 7) and slightly klutzy (Mom, ageless) family members alike will enjoy skating to the not-too-loud music. It's mostly open skate, with a few short combinations thrown in for variety. Saturday night sessions tend to be for the teen and pre-teen crowd, with the Sunday evening session full of more skilled and dancing skaters. Skating takes some amount of coordination, but it's a skill that can be learned. In a rink where overly fast and rough skating is not allowed, the ups and downs can be just as memorable as that first correct turn or completed oval. The two-hour sessions are just about right for parents, though Jenna (8) would gladly have stayed much longer.

Out & About Helpful Hints: Bring your own skates if you have them. This rink allows private skates, saving you the buck rental fee. Just have them check them first to okay them.

Kid Safety Considerations: If your children are just learning, kneepads, long pants and long sleeves are a good idea. Even the most skilled skater occasionally falls, and a child whose skin is unprotected may be reluctant to continue. For the safety and security of the children, everyone in the rink must be wearing skates except children under four, or parents/grandparents watching their children skate.

(c) 2000 Paul and Julie Gentry. Note: this article first appeared in Monterey County Family Magazine