Parks & Facilities • Winter Outdoor Recreation
Important Phone Numbers:
Ice Conditions Information Line: 630-260-6430 ext. 2
Northside Warming Shelter Information Line: 630-260-6430 ext. 3
Click on any of the outdoor recreation opportunities offered by
our parks and facilities in winter for more information:
| • Cross-Country Skiing |
| • Hockey |
| • Ice Fishing |
| • Ice Skating |
| • Sledding |
| • Snowshoeing |
Northside Park Warming Shelter w/ Concessions
The Warming Shelter is open during winter months (weather permitting). The shelter accommodates those participating in outdoor recreation (sledding or skating) at Northside Park. The warming shelter offers restrooms and limited concessions to the public. There is no skate rental.
Warming Shelter Hours and Information
- Monday-Thursday: 4-7 pm
- Friday: 4-8 pm
- Saturday: 10 am-8 pm
- Sunday: 11 am-7 pm
- Non-School Days: 10 am-8 pm
- Holiday Hours:
- Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
- Open Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve 11 am-4 pm
Warming Shelter Information Line: 630-260-6430 -- ext. 3.
Please note: The Wheaton Park District reserves the right to close the shelter house at any time. It will be closed if there are not enough participants to warrant keeping it open or in case of inclement weather. Outdoor recreation at Northside Park is NOT LIMITED to the warming shelter hours.
Northside Park Outdoor Recreation Rules and Regulations:
- Outdoor recreation (skating & sledding) is subject to weather and snowfall conditions. If conditions are deemed unsafe; the skating rink and sled hill may close.
- Sledding can be a hazardous activity and allows for substantial risk
- Use is at visitor’s risk
- Use of Snowboards and Skis is strictly prohibited
- Building of Moguls, Ramps, Jumps, Bumps and Hills are strictly prohibited
- Sledding Hill may be closed due to lack of snow cover or for any other safety-related reason
- Pets are strictly prohibited on sled hill
- Skating is not permitted behind the island, or beyond the bridge.
- Hockey (or passing the puck) is NOT permitted in front of the warming house. It is permitted to the far right or closer to the bridge.
For an update on the ice conditions, please call:
Park District Ice Conditions Information Line: 630-260-6430 -- ext. 2
Information is updated as changes occur.
Flags= Red means ice is CLOSED, Green means ice is OPEN
Cross-Country Skiing
Enjoy the serene setting at Arrowhead Golf Club!
Cross-country skiing is an economical winter sport for all ages which provides hours of fun and exercise. This low impact sport offers the health benefits of aerobic exercise and assists in burning calories and building muscles.
Arrowhead Golf Club offers groomed trails, rental equipment and instruction. There’s no trail fee. Skiing is allowed on the golf course except in roped off areas. Skiers also have the opportunity to use the Herrick Lake Forest Preserve trails.
• 9 am to dusk, Monday-Friday
• 8 am to dusk, Saturday and Sunday
| Ski Rentals (two hours) | |||||
| *Package (skis, boots, poles): | Adult $15 | Child 12 & under $10 | |||
| *Individual Item Rentals | |||||
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A security deposit is required to rent skis – credit card, driver’s license, student ID or
car keys. Ask about our school group rates.
For more information and/or snow conditions, please call 630-653-5800.
Cross-Country Skiing Programs and Events:
Parks Plus Fitness Presents...
2013 Cross-Country Ski Lessons
at Arrowhead Golf Club
Saturdays, January 12- February 16* – Only $10
*Specific weather conditions required for cross-country skiing.
| Date | Session 1 | Session 2 |
| Jan 12 | n/a | 12-1:30P |
| Jan 19 | 8:30-10A | 10:30A-12P |
| Jan 26 | 8:30-10A | 10:30A-12P |
| Feb 2 | 8:30-10A | 10:30A-12P |
| Feb 9 | 8:30-10A | 10:30A-12P |
| Feb 16 | 8:30-10A | 10:30A-12P |
For more information about ski lessons, please contact Dan Novak at 630.510.5117 or skilessons@wheatonparks.org.
Hockey
Hockey is only permitted when weather conditions are approved for ice skating. Details »
Rules and Regulations:
- Signs are posted at Rathje Park, permitted skating hours are listed as: Weekdays before 4 pm & Weekends/School Holidays before 2 pm
- Hockey playing on all ice rinks is restricted to times posted in order to insure the safety of skaters.
- Skating is subject to weather and snowfall conditions. If conditions are deemed unsafe; a skating rink may close.
- Use is at visitor’s risk
- Skating is not permitted behind the island, or beyond the bridge.
- Hockey may not be played in front of the Warming Shelter at Northside Park, this area is reserved for open skating.
- Hockey (or passing the puck) is NOT permitted in front of the warming house. It is permitted to the far right or closer to the bridge.
For an update on ice conditions, please call:
Park District Ice Conditions Information Line: 630-260-6430 -- ext. 2
Information is updated as changes occur.
Flags= Red means ice is CLOSED, Green means ice is OPEN
Ice Fishing
Ice Fishing is only permitted at Elliot Pond.
Elliot Pond is only to be utilized for ice fishing, ice skating is prohibited.
For an update on ice conditions, please call:
Park District Ice Conditions Information Line: 630-260-6430 -- ext. 2
Information is updated as changes occur.
Ice Skating
Safety First
All ice rinks are swept and re-surfaced as needed. To ensure safety, rinks are monitored and checked daily, flags are posted to let skaters know when conditions are safe. Green flags indicate safe conditions and red flags indicate unsafe conditions.
Remember...Green means Go & Red means Stop!
Hours: Lighted rinks are open dawn to 10:00 pm (lights are on a timer). Unlit rinks are open dawn to dusk.
For an update on ice conditions, please call:
Park District Ice Conditions 24-HR Information Line: 630-260-6430 -- ext. 2
Information is updated as changes occur.
| Lighted Rinks: | Rinks Without Lighting: |
| Seven Gables - on Winner's Cup Circle Map | Briar Patch Park* - 1700/1750 Briarcliff Blvd. |
| Rathje Park - Roosevelt Rd. & Delles Rd. | Hull Park* - 1400 Hull Dr. |
| C.L. Herrick Park - Herrick St. & Armbrust St. | |
| Kelly Park* - 1100 Main St. | |
| Northside Park - 1300 N. West St. |
*This park features a man-made ice rink.
Important Information:
Northside
Ice at rinks must be at least 8" thick for ice skating to be permitted. Rinks are checked regularly and therefore subject to change regularly.
Ice skating conditions are subject to weather and snowfall. If the park district feels that conditions are unsafe for skating, certain rinks may remain closed.
In cases of heavy snowfall, all rinks may not be cleared for use.
For an update on the ice conditions, please call:
Park District Ice Conditions Information Line: 630-260-6430 -- ext. 2
Information is updated as changes occur.
Rinks will not be plowed during snowfall, only when snow stops.
For skating at Northside Park, please follow the rules listed below.
Northside Park Outdoor Recreation Rules and Regulations:
- Outdoor recreation (skating & sledding) is subject to weather and snowfall conditions. If conditions are deemed unsafe; the skating rink and sled hill may close.
- Use is at visitor’s risk
- Skating is not permitted behind the island, or beyond the bridge.
- Hockey (or passing the puck) is NOT permitted in front of the warming house. It is permitted to the far right or closer to the bridge.
For an update on ice conditions, please call:
Park District Ice Conditions Information Line: 630-260-6430 -- ext. 2
Information is updated as changes occur.
Flags= Red means ice is CLOSED, Green means ice is OPEN
Sledding
Northside Park (north end of West St.) includes a sled hill and warming shelter with limited concessions.
For more information about the warming shelter, click here.
-
Northside Park Outdoor Recreation Rules and Regulations:
- Outdoor recreation (skating & sledding) is subject to weather and snowfall conditions. If conditions are deemed unsafe; the skating rink and sled hill may close.
- Sledding can be a hazardous activity and allows for substantial risk
- Use is at visitor’s risk
- Use of Snowboards and Skis is strictly prohibited
- Building of Moguls, Ramps, Jumps, Bumps and Hills are strictly prohibited
- Sledding Hill may be closed due to lack of snow cover or for any other safety-related reason
- Pets are strictly prohibited on sled hill
For an update on ice conditions, please call:
Park District Ice Conditions Information Line: 630-260-6430 -- ext. 2
Information is updated as changes occur.
For an update on the Warming Shelter, please call:
Northside Park Warming Shelter Information Line: 630-260-6430 -- ext. 3
Information is updated as changes occur.
Flags= Red means ice is CLOSED, Green means ice is OPEN
Snowshoeing
Explore the winter wonderland on snowshoes. Learn about snowshoeing and take a trek through the trails.
- Maximum group size is 13
- $10/ Wheaton Resident
- $13 Non Wheaton Resident
Register for Snowshoe Programs >
About Renting Snowshoes (See Rental Shoe Agreement & Waiver PDF)
- Snowshoes are available at the Lincoln Marsh office Monday-Friday from 9am to 3pm and at Northside Park Shelter House on the weekends and holidays from 11am to 5pm.
- 3" minimum of snow is required
- We have snowshoes for ages toddler through adult
- Rental of Lincoln Marsh snowshoes is $5.00 for 2 hours. Fees are not altered depending on time of use.
- Snowshoe participants must remain within Lincoln Marsh and Northside Park Natural Areas while in possession of snowshoes.
- Snowshoes cannot be taken to a different location and they must be returned to the Lincoln Marsh office by 3pm or Northside Park by 5pm.
- Late equipment returns will result in a charge of $5 for every 10 minutes turned in late.
- Any damages to the equipment participant will be liable to pay up to $100.
- To rent snowshoes, a parent or guardian 18 years of age or older is required to sign the Rental Shoe Agreement & Waiver PDF. State ID, driver's license, credit card or car keys are acceptable for deposit and will be returned to participants after snowshoes are returned.
About Reserving a Snowshoe Program
- Requested programs can be scheduled at any day/time as long as our program calendar is open and staff are available. Contact Mike Kelly at 630.871.2810 or mkelly@wheatonparks.org
- For a 1 ½ hour program, the cost is $10/resident and $13/nonresident. This includes hot chocolate, use of snowshoes and a nature hike through the picturesque Lincoln Marsh. There is a minimum fee of $70.
- We allow a minimum of 3 participants (provided they pay the minimum fee of $70) and a maximum of 13 participants, ages 6 and older. We also have five pair of snowshoes for toddler-age participants.