Ralph Walker Ice Rink

This review is for open skate only. For $ 4 you get a no frills open skate session. Having brought my own skates I can’t speak to the quality of the rentals. If you don’t need much this is a bargain for an afternoon of skating.

I am totally okay with coming here to skate, there is nothing wrong with this rink. If you’re coming to skate, then skating you shall get.
Don’t expect a chai mocha latte, just skate.
Don’t expect hot dogs and chili cheese fries, just skate.
Don’t expect fancy décor or venue, just skate.
Don’t expect top of the line skates, bring your own if its a big deal, and just skate.
Bottom-​line — this place is perfect if used for its intended use, skating, duh! If you need more, then I suggest you find it elsewhere.

I realize this is run by the city of New Haven and not a private entity, so budget plays a big factor here, but… this rink is need of some serious maintenance.
The locker rooms are just wide open benches, no showers, and you have to walk through a building, down the pathway all the way to the rink. It’s just inconvenient.
The rink itself has dasher boards that are nearly at a 30 degree angle from poor reinforcement. I couldn’t tell you the last time the lines were painted because the face-​off circles & goal creases were barely visible. The rink edging was caked with snow, so who knows the last time that was ever done, and the ice level need the zamboni doors is just deplorable. It’s so bad that you get scared to skate near the door, and we even had a puck go out of play because it slid underneath the door.
Overall, decent in a pinch, but I wouldn’t pay money to play here.