At midnight, members of the commu nity had gathered with Mayor George Pradel at the base of the Moser Tower with the 72-bell Millennium Carillon to ring in the New Year. Ten hours later, the city icon along the Riverwalk was the stunning backdrop for Centennial Park where skaters of all ages arrived early on a sunny New Year’s Day, just as the monthly test of the emergency siren alert system sounded at 10AM, the first Tuesday of month.
Burrrrrr! The temperature was a frigid 16 degrees.
Skating season typically opens on December 15 in Naperville; however, rinks can open only after a period of extreme cold. Skaters will find three rinks at Centennial Park, near The Beach. Two rinks are for hockey and the third one is for free skating.
Of course, sled hills require more than freezing temperatures. A minimum amount of snow must fall in order for sleds hills to open for the safety of all outdoor play.
Skating rinks and sled hills will open when weather and conditions permit
Skating season runs through February 15 and the sledding season ends February 28, according to the Naperville Park District..
Three outdoor skating rinks maintained by the Park District will be lighted and open until 10PM:
- Centennial Park, 500 W. Jackson Ave.
- Nike Sports Complex, 288 W. Diehl Rd.
- Commissioners Park, 3704 111th St.
The fourth rink, located at Gartner Park at 524 Gartner Rd., is not lighted and closes at dusk.
The rink at Nike Sports Complex permits broomball, with priority over open skating on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 10PM. Open skating has priority over broomball at all other times.
Rules are posted at all sled hills and skating rinks. All adults are advised to be sure youngsters know all the rules for their safety and the safety of all other individuals at play.
The following sled hills are located in community parks or neighborhood parks. They have no concessions and close one hour after sunset, except Rotary Hill, which is lighted and open weekdays until 9PM and Friday and Saturday until 10PM.
- Arrowhead Park, 711 Iroquois Ave.
- Brook Crossings, 1015 95th St.
- Country Lakes Park, 1835 North Aurora Rd.
- Gartner Park, 524 W. Gartner Rd.
- May Watts Park, 804 S. Whispering Hills Dr.
- Riverwalk Sled Hill at Rotary Hill, 441 Aurora Ave.
For current information, visit www.napervilleparks.org or call (630) 848-5000. Bundle up and enjoy the great outdoors.
RELATED LINKS: Rotary Hill for sledding Rotary Hill is prepared for the sledding season
