Winter Outdoor Recreation
Check RainoutLine or Facebook for updates on the status of ice rinks and other winter outdoor recreation.
Update (12/13/21):
- Central Athletic Complex Outdoor Ice Rinks are open. Ice rinks require sustained temperatures at or below 40 degrees.
- Central Athletic Complex ice rink access requires advance reservations and tickets. Resident and nonresident rates apply.
- The Northside Warming Shelter will be open for the 2021-2022 winter activities season as weather allows.
- For Wheaton Park District outdoor recreation statuses and more, please visit our page on RainoutLine.com. Updates will be communicated with the public as they become available.
Central Athletic Complex Ice Skating & Hockey
Ice rinks will be closed to the public on Saturday, January 29 for a private event.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Wheaton Park District operates two ice rinks at Central Athletic Complex
The Wheaton Park District continues to improve the chilled rinks at Central Athletic Complex every winter season. These rinks are maintained and staffed daily when weather permits–generally beginning at the end of November through early March. Use of the rinks is free for residents and reservations are required.
Staff are onsite EXCLUSIVELY to manage reservations, monitor ice conditions, and administer first aid when necessary.
Ice Rink Rules of Conduct (PDF)
Open Skate Rink Rules
No sticks, pucks, shooting devices, or hockey allowed.
- Skating is at your own risk.
- Wheelchairs are permitted on the ice if accompanied by a person wearing skates or ice cleats.
- Participants must keep moving.
- Roughhousing, excessive speeding, or weaving through other skaters is forbidden.
- Tag and other games are prohibited.
- No jumps, spins, figure, or backward skating.
- Children 12 and under should be actively supervised by a guardian (16+ years).
Ice Hockey Rink Rules
No organized practices are allowed.
- Skating is at your own risk.
- No slap shots or lifting of the puck.
- No checking/hitting, roughhousing/play fighting, pushing, slashing, hooking, high-sticking, or stick-lifting is allowed.
- Participants must have a helmet, gloves, ice skates, and sticks of their own.
- Children 12 and under should be actively supervised by a guardian (16+ years).
* Ice skating is weather permitting. The outdoor ice rinks require sustained temperatures at or below 40 degrees. Please check our weather hotline in advance of reserving your tickets.
† A valid Wheaton Park District Universal ID is required and must be presented onsite with your timed-entry ticket. If you do not have a current ID, please visit the Community Center or call 630-690-4880 for more information on how to obtain your ID.
View the status of rinks on RainoutLine:
Get convenient updates using RainoutLine! Call (630) 410-1028 or visit RainoutLine.com to sign-up for text alerts or download the free app!
Cross-Country Skiing
Travel the snow-touched slopes of Arrowhead Golf Club this winter with cross-country skiing!
This low-impact sport offers the benefits of aerobic exercise, burns calories, and builds muscles. Arrowhead Golf Club (26W151 Butterfield Rd.) maintains groomed trails and provides equipment rentals. Skiers are encouraged to stay on the groomed trails which have been provided, skiing is allowed throughout the course as weather permits. A base of 6 inches of snow is required for cross-country skiing to be permitted.
Trail access is provided free of charge. Rental equipment does require a fee. All rentals are by reservation only by calling 630.653.5800. Rental equipment can then be paid for and picked up from the ProShop.
Get convenient updates using RainoutLine! Call (630) 410-1028 or visit RainoutLine.com to sign-up for text alerts or download the free app!
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is only permitted at Elliot Lake and is undertaken at the visitor’s risk.
- Remember, green flags mean “GO”, red flags mean “NO.”
- Ice skating and hockey are prohibited at Elliot Lake.
Get convenient updates using RainoutLine! Call (630) 410-1028 or visit RainoutLine.com to sign-up for text alerts or download the free app!
Northside Warming Shelter
* Warming Shelter availability is weather permitting. Please check RainoutLine in advance.
View the status of the Warming Shelter on RainoutLine:
Get convenient updates using RainoutLine! Call (630) 410-1028 or visit RainoutLine.com to sign-up for text alerts or download the free app!
Pond Ice Skating
Factors affecting ice quality and pond ice rink availability
Ice is subject to variable freezing temperatures from above the ice and thawing conditions from below the ice due to water temperatures and sources of water. The color and quality of ice is another contributing factor when a decision to open the ponds is made. Snow is another contributing factor since it can act as an insulator and may begin to melt ice despite freezing temperatures. Removing snow from ice is a job best left to professional staff as attempting to shovel oneself often creates unstable ice conditions that become a safety concern.
Before the Wheaton Park District permits pond skating, there must be a minimum of 8” of solid ice. This is for the safety of our staff who maintains the ice as well as the skaters. When conditions are appropriate, ice depth is checked daily by drilling holes through the ice at several locations, beginning from the shoreline and working toward the center.
All ice is monitored daily to decide if it is safe to open for all patrons. The green flags indicate if a pond is safe for skating. The red flags signify when a pond is closed. The signage and flags are up for your safety and are enforced by local law. Ice fishing is only permitted at Elliot Lake and it is monitored as well.
View the status of the pond ice skating rinks on RainoutLine:
Get convenient updates using RainoutLine! Call (630) 410-1028 or visit RainoutLine.com to sign-up for text alerts or download the free app!
Sledding
Hop on a sled, toboggan, or inner tube!
We maintain a sledding hill at Northside Park (1300 N. West St.) for everyone who wants to go riding in a one-horse open sleigh but doesn’t have the horse or the sleigh.
- Sled Hill may be closed due to lack of adequate snow cover or other safety-related reasons
- Parents/guardians are responsible for the supervision of minor children
- Sledding can be a hazardous activity with substantial risk. Use is at the visitor’s risk.
- Use of snowboards and skis is strictly prohibited.
- The building of moguls, ramps, jumps, bumps, and hills is strictly prohibited.
- Pets are strictly prohibited from the sledding hill.
Get convenient updates using RainoutLine! Call (630) 410-1028 or visit RainoutLine.com to sign-up for text alerts or download the free app!
Snowshoeing
Winter explorations on snowshoes!
Snowshoe rentals are available at the following locations when weather permits:
Lincoln Marsh Office
ADVANCE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Email or call 630-871-2810 for availability
Hours*
Weekdays | 8A-3P, for a max of 3 hours
Weekends | Must check out by 4P on Friday and return the following business day
Fees & Payment Info
$7/pair for weekday rentals; $15/pair for weekend rentals
Payment is due at the time of rental; check, Visa or MasterCard accepted
*The Lincoln Marsh office will be closed on:
- Christmas Eve (12/24)
- Christmas Day Observed (12/26)
- New Year’s Eve (12/31)
- New Year’s Day Observed (1/3)
- Martin Luther King Day (1/17)
- President’s Day (2/21)
Northside Warming Shelter
Hours* – When weather permits; see status below
Fri. 4-8P, Sat. 10A-8P, Sun. 11A-7P
No School Days 10A-8P
Christmas and New Year’s Eves 10A-3P
Snowshoes must be returned within 1 hour of the Warming Shelter closing
Fees & Payment Info
$7/pair for a max of 3 hours
Cash payment is due at the time of rental. A state ID, Driver’s License or car keys will be held as a deposit.
*Please note: The Shelter House will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day
Details:
- Limited amount of child and adult sizes available
- Child Size: Size Youth 13 and up; a maximum of 60 lbs
- Adult/Youth Size: Size Youth 4-Adult 14
- 3″ minimum of snow is required
- A Rental Agreement & Waiver (PDF) must be signed (by a parent/legal guardian if under 18)
- Snowshoes cannot be used off Lincoln Marsh or Northside Park property (must remain on the property where snowshoes were rented)
- Participants will be liable to pay for any damages to the equipment up to $100
For more information, please email lincolnmarsh@wheatonparks.org.
