There won't be skating this winter in Red Arrow Park, but at least you'll be able to buy a beer, latte or tickets to next year's Greater Milwaukee Open. Because of leaks in the rink's underground cooling system -- an ongoing problem, since the rink opened -- the Milwaukee County Parks Department and DNR thought it irresponsible to move forward with freezing the "pond" with the potential of constricting pipes that could leak toxins into the park.

Without a rink to skate on, there is still a warming house to use. So, Oak Leaf Café and Marketplace in Red Arrow Park, 920 N. Water St., is now open. But, only through December. Starbucks will take over the space next spring. Until then, Oak Leaf serves coffee, bakery, sandwiches and beverages to downtowners and visitors Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Fridays, 7 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 4-8 p.m.

"It's a full-service café for the holidays," said Keith Kalberer, marketing director for the parks system. "(It's) a way to keep Red Arrow Park busy, and a great retail outlet for GMO tickets, mugs or gift certificates. There's a deli for lunch, too." With plently of seating room and a sort of grandma-ish decor, the cafe makes for a nice temporary fix for an otherwise vacant space.

"We have a number of locations within the County Park System where people can obtain certificates for golf, the Domes and other park attractions," County Executive Scott Walker said at the recent opening. "However, downtown was one place that lacked an outlet. Red Arrow Park should prove to be a convenient stop for holiday gift-givers as well as a great place for a quick breakfast, lunch or after work refreshment."

In addition to certificates and merchandise, The Oak Leaf Café and Marketplace, named in honor of the Park System logo, has been decorated with angels and festive garb to create another downtown destination this season. Santa Claus will make visits on Saturday and Sunday evenings until 8 p.m.

Because the malfunction at the rink, the county will be able to make a few bucks before Starbucks begins to build its cafe in the warming house.

"(The café) is a short-term fix to provide revenues and programming. The funding is here for the spring and Starbucks wants to wait until slate is clean and rink repaired to open," Kalberer said.

Ideas are in the works for a possible New Year's Eve bonfire and the Parks Department is exploring other ideas to use the dark rink in January, February and March. Broom ball is one option being discussed.