Duane Park Groundhog Day Fest Features the Animal of Honor in Ice

Ice sculptor John Melton takes his chainsaw to a block of ice that will become the Duane Park "mascot" Duane Hog. Photo: Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib

As he’s done for the past six Groundhog Days, John Melton arrived at Tribeca’s Duane Park on Tuesday afternoon with his chainsaw, 450-pound block of ice, and remarkable sculpting skill. In less than an hour, after much buzzing, drilling and buffing, the park’s “mascot” Duane Hog emerged, top hat and all. It was Friends of Duane Park’s annual celebration of the burrowing rodent (free cookies and hot chocolate included), which brings local cheer to what is often deemed the year’s dreariest month.

Photos by Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib

The idea for the event came after the group decided to end its annual fundraising loft tour. “It had become overwhelming,” said Friends of Duane Park board member Karie Parker Davidson. “We did some brainstorming for activities that would be high fun, low lift.” February was a good time, they decided, because of the dearth of activity during that cold month. “I said, ‘What about Groundhog Day?’ And we came up with the ice sculpture.” The Duane Hog character is a sculptural interpretation of a woodcut by fellow Friends member Carla Bauer.

The free event is followed by a ticketed party that helps support the park.

As for Melton, 47, a 15-year veteran of ice carving, the groundhog is just one of any number of animals, and most everything else, that he has been called on to create. “If you name a figure,” he said, “I probably did it.”