A Retired Teacher’s $1 Million Gift Helped Build This Michigan Skating Park
Holland, Michigan, has so many unique things, including a Dutch windmill, the Tulip Time Festival, and sidewalks that melt snow. What it didn’t have, at least until 2025, was a public outdoor ice skating rink. It’s a bit poetic that the man who dreamed the Holland Ice Park into reality was also the town’s Santa Claus (and Sinterklaas) for many years.
As much as the city needed a place to skate during the glory of a Michigan winter, it also had a reputation to uphold. Holland doesn’t do anything halfway. The Holland Ice Park includes a pond, curling station, and the largest ice-skating ribbon in Michigan.
Something this “wonderful,” as the retired teacher who donated a million dollars to kick off the building campaign called it, draws the crowds. In fact, if you don’t time your ticket purchase right, you might end up watching from the sidelines because tickets sell out quickly.
To truly appreciate what the Holland Ice Rink is, we need to skate back in time to the 1930s.
A Michigan Boy Who Just Loved to Ice Skate
In the winter of 1936, Frank Kraai was born. Sometime between that date and his graduation from Holland High School in 1954, he grew to love how winter looked wearing ice skates.
“One of the wonderful experiences in life is to skate in the winter when it’s cold and the fellowship it creates,” Kraai said in 2021.
Kraai’s life never took him far from Holland. He taught in the city schools, and even retirement wouldn’t keep him out of the classroom. He served as an adjunct instructor at Hope College. Students remember Frank as a man who valued serving the community more than anything.
A trip to the bank changed Frank — and Holland — forever. He loved to tell the story, “Someone at my bank asked me if I knew I was a millionaire. My response was to say ‘That can’t be me. I am a teacher!”
“Millionaire? That can’t be me. I am a teacher!”
FRANK KRAAI, UPON LEARNING HE WAS A RETIRED MILLIONAIRE
A man who has the means to buy anything in his 80s only wanted to get one thing. The idea he had sitting on ice in his mind for decades.
Nathan Bocks, Holland Mayor, recalls, “Frank didn’t think he needed all that money himself. He came to the city of Holland and said if we started building an ice skating park before he passed away, he would give the city a million dollars toward the building of that park.”
The city, community, and other donors were up to the task. The groundbreaking happened in April 2024, with Frank there to address the crowd.
“I may not live long, but my heart’s gonna be right in the middle of that ice,” he said.
Less than three months later, Frank Kraai passed away at the age of 88. While he never got to see the Holland Ice Park filled with the community members he loved so much, he was prepared for that.
“I may not live long, but my heart’s gonna be right in the middle of that ice,” he said in 2021.
Mayor Bocks said Frank didn’t want the Ice Park named after him. “We cheated a little bit. We named the pond for Frank because we knew that there needed to be recognition.”
Turning the Holland Ice Park Dream Into Reality
Losing Frank hurt, but made everyone that much more determined to get the project winter-ready. It’s important to note, especially for Frank, that this wasn’t just his dream; it was a community gift.
As planning meetings, input sessions, innovation trips, and additional funding came in, Frank’s voice was still in the conversation. Matt VanDkyen, Holland Assistant City Manager, explains: “Frank said and all I want is for it to be affordable, to have hot cocoa, and for it to have curling.”
Planners took that to heart and then built upon it. The plans of a standard ice rink were shattered by the goal of an Ice Park, built at the Window on the Waterfront Park. When it opened, it included:
- A 700-foot ice ribbon that loops around landscaped islands
- An ice pond
- A separate curling station
- An entertainment pavilion
- Community seating and firepits, with one area only accessible from the skating loop
And the plans also expanded the Holland snowmelt system, which keeps streets and sidewalks clear of snow even in the depths of winter. Innovation rests under the Holland Ice Park, too, with a refrigeration system keeping the ice frozen from late November through March.
The Holland Ice Park Opens to a “Wonderful” Reception
Frank loved to use the word “wonderful” to describe the idea of the Holland Ice Park. The inaugural 2025 season was indeed wonderful. Many days sold out well in advance. Nearly 34,000 skaters wove their way through the icy adventure.
More than 8,200 cups of hot cocoa were served and sipped, with Mayor Bocks noting, “If I know Frank, he’s looking down from above with a big grin on his face.” You can also see Frank’s old ice skates on display at the Holland Ice Park.
While winter means ice skating, the park doesn’t shut down during the warmer months. Summer recreation, from yoga to concerts, takes over the Ice Rink and surrounding area, which also includes part of the social district in Holland.
However, we learned a few things from the 2025/2026 ice skating season that can help you plan a trip during the 2026/2027 season.
Know Before You Go | The Ins and Outs of the Holland Ice Park
The Holland Ice Park isn’t one of those places where you just show up and start skating. Demand is just too high. With some careful planning, you can enjoy everything from ice skating the state’s largest ice ribbon to testing out your curling skills.
Don’t Wait to Get Tickets to the Holland Ice Park
Even with 14,000 square feet of pristine ice to skate and curl, strict capacity limits mean tickets for the Holland Ice Park are so hot they sell out quickly. Reservations are required to skate or curl, but anyone who wants to stay off the ice gets free access.
Skating and curling tickets are sold separately.
- 90-minute skating sessions: $10 per person. The price is the same whether you bring your own skates or rent them there.
- A 90-minute curling rental accommodates up to eight people, with a rental price around $100-$125. All the equipment is provided.
The Holland Ice Park is open from November 20, 2026 through March 14, 2027. Here are the ticket release dates.
| Ticket Release Dates | Dates Released |
|---|---|
| Friday, October 16, 2026 | November 20 – 30, 2026 *Ice Skating Only |
| Monday, November 16, 2026 | December 1 – 31, 2026 |
| Wednesday, December 16, 2026 | January 1 – 31, 2027 |
| Saturday, January 16, 2027 | February 1 – 28, 2027 |
| Tuesday, February 16, 2027 | March 1 – End of Season |
During Dutch Winterfest, select sessions are listed as $5 skate sessions, sponsored by LG Energy Solution. Here’s where to get the skating tickets and the curling tickets are here.
What to Bring & What to Leave at Home
Bring warm layers and gloves, and consider a combination lock for the lockers; you can buy one there for $3.50. The Ice Park has an on-site concession stand where you can buy snacks and drinks, including hot cocoa. Keep in mind that the park is cashless. Avoid bringing outside food and drinks in.
Once you’re on the ice, keep it casual. Hockey, figure skating, and “risky skating” activities like jumping aren’t allowed.
Even if you’re comfortable skating with a little one in tow, the city doesn’t allow carrying children or babies on the ice. All minors under the age of 16 must be with an adult. Those who plan to try curling should bring sneakers since skates aren’t allowed on the curling surface.
Don’t Worry About Skating Experience
First time on the ice? You’ll be in good company. The park has a limited number of skate assists to help beginners find their balance. They’re available first come, first served, for $5 per session. Kids can also sign up for Learn to Skate classes, with sessions for ages 6 to 8 and 9 to 11.
New for the 2026–27 season, the park has a wheelchair ice skating sled. Guests stay in their own wheelchair while a family member or friend pushes them around the ribbon. It’s free to use and available first come, first served.
Give Curling a Try
The Holland Ice Park has a separate 75-foot curling sheet, so you can trade the skating ribbon for a game on the ice. Each 90-minute reservation can include up to eight people, though the park recommends at least four for a better game. Reservations cost $100 to $125, depending on the session, and must be booked online in advance.
The fee includes curling stones, brooms, and grippers and sliders for your shoes. Staff will explain the basics before you start and stay nearby if questions come up, but this isn’t a formal lesson. Again, leave your skates off the curling sheet and wear flat-soled shoes for better traction — instructors say shoes like Vans or Converse work great.
Check Out the Holland Ice Park’s Special Event Calendar
The ice park adds themed nights and seasonal events throughout winter. You might want to plan your trip to the Holland Ice Park around one of these.
- Dutch Winterfest Dutch Skate: New for 2026, Dutch dancers in traditional costumes take to the ice at the Holland Ice Park during Dutch Winterfest, Dec. 1–5.
- Glow Nights: Fridays in January, February, and March, with colorful lights and upbeat music on the ribbon.
- Character Skate: Wednesdays in January, February, and March. Dress as a favorite character, or just come as you are. Skaters in costume get free popcorn with paid admission.
- Love on Ice: Feb. 12–14, with a glow party, a night of soul and R&B, and a family-focused skate.
You’ll need a skating ticket for each event, but the price is the same.
The Holland Ice Park’s Four Seasons of Fun
The real magic of the Holland Ice Park is that it doesn’t just shut its doors when the winter ice melts. True to the city’s vision, the park transitions seamlessly into a vibrant, year-round neighborhood hub that proves you don’t need sub-zero temperatures to have a blast.
Once spring hits and the ice is gone, the concrete loops and manicured islands turn into an active sanctuary. During Tulip Time, you’ll find crowds stretching out for open-air morning yoga sessions right on the central plaza.
When summer rolls around, the 700-foot ice ribbon officially sheds its winter skin to become a buzzing roller track. “Skate, Blade, & Scoot Thursdays” are a massive hit for families, turning the smooth paths over to inline skaters, roller skaters, and toddlers on balance bikes.
As the air cools down in the fall, the park pivots into the ultimate community backyard. Neighbors grab lawn chairs and blankets for outdoor movie nights along the ribbon, catching family films under the stars while the concession stands keep everyone fueled with snacks.
It’s a Wonderful Life at the Holland Ice Park
Frank once said, “One of the wonderful experiences in life is to skate in the winter when it’s cold and the fellowship it creates.” Remember that as you enjoy the community spirit that brought the Holland Ice Park to life.
If you’re looking to share the gift of giving, you can also buy Holland Ice Park gift certificates for family and friends.
For those reading this after tickets have sold out, remember the Holland Ice Park is about gathering with neighbors. It’s free to enjoy the sights and sounds, and have a cup of cocoa with a cheers to Frank Kraai.