WHEATON PARK DISTRICT OFFERS WINTER WONDERLAND OF OUTDOOR RECREATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 5, 2017

Wheaton, Ill.—From cross-country skiing to ice skating, sledding, snowshoeing, and more, the Wheaton Park District offers a winter wonderland of outdoor recreation.

Just opened January 4, guests can now enjoy two outdoor, lighted ice rinks at the Central Athletic Complex (500 S. Naperville Rd.). Located on the east side of the complex’s athletic fields, the rinks can accommodate up to 288 skaters and are open 8A-9:30P daily through the end of March, weather permitting. Skate rental and concessions are not provided.

One rink is dedicated to ice hockey; the other is reserved for open skate.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your health and wellbeing with your family or friends,” said Director of Recreation Mary Beth Cleary. “These rinks will be open for all ages and skill levels as a free activity.”

Useable in temperatures up to 40 degrees, the rinks are monitored and resurfaced as needed by the district’s Parks Services Department. Green flags indicate the rinks are ready and red flags indicate they’re unsafe. Guests can check the status from home and subscribe to the district’s Rainout Line for more frequent updates at wheatonparkdistrict.com/status-updates.

Ice skating is available at several parks, too, including Bestler’s Pond (26W108 Tomahawk Dr.), Herrick Park (Armbrust Ave. & Herrick Dr.), Northside Park (1300 N. West St.), Rathje Park (616 Delles Rd.), and Seven Gables Park (1750 S. Naperville Rd.), weather permitting. They also follow the flag system; green means the ice is safe and red means it’s unsafe.

Along with ice skating, Northside Park offers a sledding hill, open dawn through dusk. Sleds are not provided, and snowboards and skis are prohibited.

With ice fishing at Elliot Lake (W. Prairie Ave. & N. Gary Ave.), also open dawn through dusk, tackle boxes don’t have to be put away for the winter. Fishers are advised to observe the flag system before setting up on the ice.

At Arrowhead Golf Club (26W151 Butterfield Rd.), cross-country skiers can travel groomed trails across the 27-hole course’s slopes Monday through Friday, 9A-dusk and Saturday and Sunday, 8A-dusk. No trail fee required; rental equipment does require a fee. Snowshoes are prohibited.

Snowshoes aren’t prohibited, though, at Lincoln Marsh Natural Area (1001 W. Lincoln Ave.), where they’re available for rental at its office 8A-3P, Monday through Friday.

“Lincoln Marsh becomes a wonderland for those seeking that type of experience,” said Lincoln Marsh Program Manager Terra Johnson. “There are many discoveries to be made, from watching the birds search for food to following tracks in the snow and observing how it blankets the vegetation and trees.”

At least three inches of snow must be on the ground to go snowshoeing. When it’s freshly fallen, Environmental Education Supervisor Deb Ditchman likes searching for animal tracks.

“It’s like a little mystery, trying to see where they came from and where they went,” Ditchman said. “And some tracks are so light and delicate—birds, mice—that they barely break the top layer of snow.”

“Getting out for some new or different exercise doesn’t cost a lot,” Johnson said.

To learn more about the Wheaton Park District’s outdoor recreation this winter, visit wheatonparkdistrict.com/outdoorfun.

From cross-country skiing at Arrowhead Golf Club (26W151 Butterfield Rd.) to ice skating at the Central Athletic Complex (500 S. Naperville Rd.), sledding at Northside Park (1300 N. West St.), and more, the Wheaton Park District offers a winter wonderland of outdoor recreation.

Photo courtesy of Ron Szymczak.