According to our rink's website, Freestyle is for Basic 6 and above. But when I got aggravated with crowded public sessions, I went to the assistant director and asked if there were private skating times available. I had no idea how much it cost to rent the entire sheet of ice for an hour, but I was thinking of something like that, truly private, just me and my husband practicing our Adult 1 skills. Well, she didn't understand what I was asking (and a good thing, too, since I now know that to get the ice truly to yourself costs $200-$300!) so she told me, "Freestyle." She knows what level I'm at, but she told me to come to Freestyle, and gave me the days and times. So either the website is wrong, or she's making an exception for me, I don't know which.
We do have skaters practicing their programs, but they don't wear a belt or armband or anything to identify themselves. The only way I can tell is to look around when the music begins and see who's standing in a pose. But then, I try and stay out of everyone's way as best I can. I tend to grab one of the hockey circles and use it to practice half-swizzle pumps, edges, and turns but I keep half an eye open and if I see anyone skating my direction, I quit what I'm doing and move toward the boards, to get out of their way. I don't stay doing the same thing for very long, either. I tend to take off-ice breaks every 5-10 minutes or so, and I'll switch from using the circle to practicing one-foot glides around the perimeter of the rink, or snowplow stops, or stroking.
We haven't asked whether hockey players are allowed at our Freestyle, but I do wish they were--provided they only practice basic skills and don't carry sticks or pucks. My husband is in Hockey 3 and he needs to be able to practice his backwards skating, hockey stops, and various drills that his teacher taught him. It would be great if we could attend Freestyle together and both encourage each other on the ice. But I know that other rinks don't allow hockey players on Freestyle, so I doubt he'll be allowed.