Of all the things you can do in Saint John during the winter, the one thing you can forget about is hibernating! Your city has everything you need to get out and be active in the snow.

In Rockwood Park you’ll find groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Rental equipment is available from Inside Out Adventures, located on the bottom level of the Lily Lake Pavilion.

Many other local parks and trails, while not maintained during winter, remain accessible to outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy blazing their own trails.

The arena season operates this year from October 11, 2024 to March 31, 2025, the City of Saint John offers free public skating at all three of our indoor rinks. For dates and times, please download the public skating schedule, which is located on the right side of this page under related documents.

If you’re looking for somewhere to skate in Saint John, whether for hockey or recreational skating, you’re in luck. Not only does your city have the facilities you need (three municipal arenas and one outdoor rink), but all public skating in Saint John is completely free! In addition to public skating, our arenas also offer free scheduled ice time for preschoolers and seniors.

Indoor skating arenas include:

Charles Gorman Arena, 80 University Ave.

Stewart Hurley Arena, 1500 Hickey Rd.

Peter Murray Arena, 711 Dever Rd.

Outdoor skating is available at Lily Lake in Rockwood Park as weather and conditions permit, from dawn until 10 p.m. Outdoor ice conditions are available by calling Customer Service at 658-4455.

There is a lot to celebrate in the City, old and new. Here are a few notable milestones the corporation of the City of Saint John has achieved.

Please note this list is not exhaustive.

2019
Completion of the Safe Clean Drinking Water Project, bringing quality, award-winning drinking water to Saint John Water customers. 

2014
Completion of the Harbour Clean-up project, ensuring the Saint John Harbour is 100 percent sewage free.

2012
City earns “Cultural Capital of Canada” designation.

1996
As an early adopter of implementing energy efficiency measures in relation to municipal facilities, the City of Saint John became one of the first Canadian municipalities to create a Municipal Energy Efficiency Program (MEEP).

1967
The District of Simonds (east), and the City of Lancaster (west) amalgamated with the City of Saint John. The sculpture ‘Progression” on the front of City Hall recognizes the amalgamation.

1908
Canada’s first public playground, the Allison Ground Playground, opened thanks to the work of Miss Mabel Peters. 

Mid-1800s
Rockwood Park is constructed, designed by Calvert Vaux, one of the designers of New York City's Central Park. Today, the 2,200-acre regional park is the outdoor jewel to the city.  

1880s
One of the North America’s first sewage systems is built.

1849
The Saint John Police Force was established. 

1845
Saint John’s first street lights were lit. 

1844
First gas works commenced.

1837
Lily Lake anchored the first municipal water supply.

1797
First City Hall building built on Market Square.

1786
Fire service established.

1785
The City of Saint John was established and named by Royal Charter amalgamating (The Town or  District of Parr) Parrtown and Carleton. Only white inhabitants of the United States or Europe were granted all rights and privileges as stated in the Charter.  Black Americans and people of colour could only be granted said privileges by the Mayor. They would then be known as “Freeman.”  The Charter was amended in 1849 to read “Notwithstanding anything in the said Charter to the contrary contained, any black person or person of colour may become a free citizen of, and be admitted to the freedom of the said City.”

1604
Sieur de Monts and Samuel de Champlain arrived at the mouth of the present-day St. John River on June 24, 1604- and named the area in honour of Saint-Jean-Baptiste.