With a big winter storm on its way, the Naperville Park District is reminding residents about its ice skating and sledding locations this winter in Naperville.
Where To Go Ice Skating
The skating areas need time to freeze, sometimes requiring a long period of cold weather. The Park District indicates that the ice is safe to skate on with a green flag at each location, and not safe with a red flag. The status of each ice rink can also be found on the Naperville Park District website.
The five available are:
- Centennial Park, 500 W. Jackson Ave. (lighted)
- Nike Sports Complex, 288 W. Diehl Rd (lighted)
- Wolf’s Crossing Community Park, 3252 Wolf’s Crossing Rd. (lighted)
- Meadow Glens Park, 1303 Muirhead Ave.
- Gartner Park, 524 W. Gartner Rd.
Lit rinks are open until 10 p.m. Those without lights close one-hour past sunset.
Sledding Locations This Winter In Naperville
The Park District has prepped and primed all the sled hills across town. At the sled hills, there’s a 2-inch snow requirement and grass cannot be visible.
The eight available sled hills are:
- Arrowhead Park, 711 Iroquois Avenue
- Brook Crossings, 1015 95th Street
- Country Lakes Park, 1835 North Aurora Road
- Gartner Park, 524 W Gartner Road
- May Watts Park, 804 S. Whispering Hills Drive
- Weigand Riverfront Park, 2436 S. Washington Street
- Wolf’s Crossing Community Park, 3252 Wolf’s Crossing Road
- Rotary Hill, 443 Aurora Ave.
Of the eight, only Rotary Hill has lights and is open til 10 p.m., the others close at dusk.
People can enjoy sledding and snowboarding at all of the hills.
Stay Clear Of Retention Ponds
The Naperville Park District also urges parents to teach their children about pond safety.
Retention ponds within neighborhoods may appear to be iced over, but those looks can be deceiving. Often there are thin patches throughout, leading to dangerous conditions. It’s best to stay off them.
That Goes for pets as well. Pet owners should make sure if they are taking their dog out for a walk near a pond or lake, have their pet on a leash.
Naperville News 17’s Joe Kennedy reports.
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