A Rink Revived by Community Spirit
On a crisp June evening, a group of volunteers gathered at the Duck Lake Pines Hockey Rink, ready to breathe new life into the neglected surface. Twenty‑eight residents showed up to clear debris, pick up litter and prepare the ice for the next phase of restoration.
Matt Jones, who grew up skating on the very ice he now helps restore, describes the rink as more than a patch of frozen water — it is a repository of family stories and childhood memories that still echo across the community.
The Highland Township Board has expressed interest in assisting the restoration, signaling municipal backing for the project and opening the door to further resources and support.
Local businesses have stepped up, with Greener Oak LLC providing cleaning supplies and Norm's Ice Cream contributing refreshments for the volunteers, demonstrating how commercial partners can play a tangible role in community initiatives.
The ultimate goal is to reconstruct the rink, establish a maintenance crew and ensure it remains a gathering place where the next generation can experience the thrill of hockey and create their own memories.