For outdoor winter activities, be mindful that sled hills and outdoor skating rinks require specific conditions to operate. Weather permitting, buddy up for fun and be safe in the great outdoors. (PN File Photo)
Throughout the winter, Naperville Park District provides sled hills and outdoor skating rinks for outdoor cold weather fun when conditions permit. Specific criteria is needed in order for these facilities to operate.
Seven sled hills welcome outdoor fun when conditions merit
The Park District also maintains sled hills throughout the community. Hills are open when the soil is frozen and there are two or more inches of snow present with no visible grass. Both sledding and snowboarding are permitted on all sled hills. Rotary Hill (443 Aurora Avenue) is lighted and remains open until 10:00 p.m. The following hills are unlighted and close one hour after sunset:
- Arrowhead Park, 711 Iroquois Avenue
- Brook Crossings, 1015 95th Street
- Country Lakes Park, 1835 North Aurora Road
- Gartner Park, 524 W. Gartner Road
- Weigand Riverfront Park, 2436 S. Washington Street
- May Watts Park, 804 S. Whispering Hills Drive
- Wolf’s Crossing Community Park, 3253 Wolf’s Crossing Road
Ice rinks recently flooded for winter 2025
Outdoor natural ice rinks may open after a stretch of consistently cold temperatures of 15 degrees or below. The District updates the status of its rinks at www.napervilleparks.org/cancellations.
Additionally, at each skating location, red and green flags are used to indicate whether the rinks are opened or closed. Skaters should not use ice rinks when they are posted as closed on the website or when a red flag is flying at the rink as skating on soft ice can pose a safety risk to skaters while causing damage to the surface itself.
Three ice rinks open until 10PM / Gartner Park closes one hour past sunset
The District’s three lighted ice rinks are open until 10PM:
- Centennial Park, 500 W. Jackson Avenue
- Nike Sports Complex, 288 W. Diehl Road
- Wolf’s Crossing Community Park, 3253 Wolf’s Crossing Road
One unlighted ice rink also is available, which closes one hour past sunset:
- Gartner Park, 524 W. Gartner Road
The District wants to remind residents of the importance of staying off of frozen retention ponds in parks and neighborhoods. Not only does Ordinance #641 prohibit skating activities on District waterways, but it also presents a safety hazard. Even if they appear frozen solid, there may be thin, weak spots that are dangerous and unpredictable. Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about the dangers of frozen ponds and keep pets far away from these places as well.
Naperville Park District encourages residents to practice caution when sledding or skating. For more information, including rules and regulations, visit www.napervilleparks.org/wintersportsfacilities.
