PHOTOS: Skating Into a New Holiday Tradition at San Francisco's Civic Center

The sun was shining, the air was unseasonably warm and a flurry of ice skaters glided across the ice on Friday at the opening of the inaugural Winter Park at Civic Center Plaza, a temporary public skating rink in front of San Francisco City Hall.

The kickoff event featured comments by Mayor London Breed and Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano, who "cut" the ribbon by driving through it on a Zamboni (technically called an ice resurfacer). Figure skaters and ice dancers from Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center and San Francisco Ice Theatre performed routines before the rink was opened up to the public.

In her remarks, Breed called the rink a "jewel to add to what will be an incredible holiday season," noting that the park is part of a larger initiative to make Civic Center and the surrounding areas safer and "more inviting."

The rink will be open daily from noon-10 p.m. through Jan. 6, 2019.

Mayor London Breed gives opening remarks at the grand opening of Winter Park at Civic Center in front of City Hall on Nov. 30, 2018. Breed referred to the opening as part of a larger initiative by the city to make Civic Center a "safe and inviting space" for visitors and families in the surrounding neighborhoods. — Mayor London Breed gives opening remarks at the grand opening of Winter Park at Civic Center Plaza in front of City Hall on Nov. 30, 2018. Breed referred to the opening as part of a larger initiative by the city to make Civic Center a "safe and inviting space" for visitors and families in the surrounding neighborhoods. (Anne Wernikoff/KQED)

Figure skating team Cali Fujimoto and Nick Barsi-Rhyne perform a duet in front of City Hall on Nov. 30, 2018. (Anne Wernikoff/KQED)

Figure skaters from the San Francisco Ice Theatre do a synchronized dance during the opening performance. (Anne Wernikoff/KQED)

Figure skater and Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano rides around the rink on a Zamboni with his dog Hunter before charging through the ribbon to officially open the rink. — Figure skater and Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano rides around the rink on a Zamboni with his dog, Hunter, before charging through the ribbon to officially open the rink. (Anne Wernikoff/KQED)

Ice-hooping performer Mayumi Namikoshi prepares for her act before taking to the ice. Her routines combine figure skating with gymnastics and hula hoop tricks to create a unique performance. (Anne Wernikoff/KQED)

A performer from San Francisco Ice Theatre helps a young girl balance on her skates as other children skate around the rink. (Anne Wernikoff/KQED)

An ice dancer from the Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center adjusts her skirt before performing at the opening. (Anne Wernikoff/KQED)

A figure skater from the San Francisco Ice Theatre waves to the crowd as she and the other performers take the first loop around the rink following their performances. (Anne Wernikoff/KQED)

Two boys skate together at the Civic Center rink. Children from San Francisco City Academy, Redding Elementary and local skating programs took to the ice following the performances to test out their skills. — Two boys skate together at the Civic Center Plaza rink. Children from San Francisco City Academy, Redding Elementary and local skating programs took to the ice following the performances to test out their skills. (Anne Wernikoff/KQED)

PHOTOS: Skating Into a New Holiday Tradition at San Francisco's Civic Center

PHOTOS: Skating Into a New Holiday Tradition at San Francisco's Civic Center

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