NORTH THETFORD — Jean Carlan, who chairs the Bradford (Vt.) Parks and Recreation Commission, has been involved in efforts to build a skate park in town.

While she supported the effort, she did not have a lot of firsthand experience with the activities that took place at one and a couple years ago she decided to change that.

First, she considered learning how to skateboard, “but I thought roller skating might be a hair less dangerous,” she said with a chuckle.

Now Carlan is hoping to share her roller skating skills — and newfound recreational enjoyment — by leading a “Learn to Skate” course that is scheduled to take place on Mondays from April 7 through April 28 at New Suns Community Center, located at 5470 Route 5 in North Thetford.

There are three sessions each of the four evenings: Kids ages 5 to 14, 5 to 5:55 p.m.; Kids ages 5 and up and adults, 6 to 6:55 p.m.; and adults only, 7 to 8/8:30 p.m. There is a maximum of 10 participants per session and registration is required at bit.ly/UVrollerskate.

Skate rentals are available from New Suns; participants are asked to bring their own pads and helmets. While the class is free, donations will be accepted to put toward the Bradford Skatepark, which is still in its fundraising stage; there are hopes that construction could begin in fall 2026.

For her part, Carlan purchased roller skates for around $100 and learned how to skate by watching videos on YouTube and joining a Facebook group for beginner roller skaters. She went to parking lots in Bradford, Vt., and cleaned out her guestroom to create a very tiny skating rink.

“It has a nice wood floor,” Carlan said. “It’s my little skate studio, I call it.”

Carlan has heard from other community members who wanted to start roller skating, but weren’t sure where to start. She thought it might be fun to create a group where they could learn together. If the series proves popular, she might offer it again. Hosting open skates — either at New Suns or another venue — could also be in the future.

“Around us, there’s not many indoor places,” said Carlan, who has also practiced her skills at Rusty Bearings Skatepark in West Lebanon. “Learning outside is challenging because you have all those extra stones, sand, little pieces of acorn that can make you break your wrist.”

She noted, however, that she has not broken any bones since starting to roller skate.

“It’s been a consistent journey of learning and that’s what really appeals to me with roller skating,” said Carlan. “If you’re working on skills and balance and movement, you can feel the progression.”

Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.