Parks & Facilities • Winter Outdoor Recreation

Ice Conditions Information Line: 630-260-6430

Click on any of the outdoor recreation opportunities offered by
our parks and facilities in winter for more information:

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

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 skating conditions at Northside Park, call the Park District Ice Conditions Information Line: 630-260-6430. 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

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 Center Presents ~ Cross Country Ski Lessons
by Nordic Fox and Northern Illinois Nordic

Lessons Only $10
Select Saturdays, January 14, 21, 28 and February 4, 11, 18
with two sessions per day from 8:30-10A and 10:30-Noon

• Check-in is 30-45 minutes prior to class
• Rental package (skis, poles, boots) available for only $15.
  
• Register early, ast ehre are class-size limits.
• Lesson Overview

Register online!
Click on any of the class times listed below to register online:

For more information, contact Jen Saylor at 630.510.5136 or skilessons@wheatonparks.org.

For more information about Arrowhead's ski program, ski equipment rentals and hours operation, click here.

Northern Illinois Nordic Race

Saturday, January 7 • 9:30 am start
Adults 14K & 7K • Kids 4 & over 4K

Information and registration at www.signmeup.com/79429

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 the skating conditions, call the Park District Ice Conditions Information Line: 630-260-6430. 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.

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.

Call the 24-Hour Info-line at 630-260-6430 (ext. 2) for updated ice skating conditions.

*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. Call 630-260-6430(ext. 2) for 24-hour information service about skating conditions. 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 the skating conditions at Northside Park, call the Park District Ice Conditions Information Line: 630-260-6430. 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 the skating conditions at Northside Park, call the Park District Ice Conditions Information Line: 630-260-6430. Information is updated as changes occur.

  Flags= Red means ice is CLOSED, Green means ice is OPEN

Snowshoeing

Enjoy the beautiful winter scenery at the Lincoln Marsh by walking on top of the snow! Learn about snowshoeing and take a trek through the trails.

Snowshoeing programs offered at Lincoln Marsh include programs for individuals, night hikes and customized programs to suite your group's needs.

For programs offered this season, click here.

Classes and program availability are dependent on snow.

Snowshoe Rental:
Snowshoes are available for rental at the Lincoln Marsh office Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm and at Northside Park on weekends and holidays at the Shelter House from 11am to 5pm.

Fee: $5 for 2 hours

To rent snow shoes, a parent or guardian 18 years of age or older is required to sign a rental form and waiver form.

Snowshoe availability is subject to change and there must be a 4-inch base to rent snowshoes.

Please Note: Snowshoe rental will be unavailable on the following dates due to scheduled programs:

• February 4
• February 17
• February 18
• February 26

Questions? Contact 630.871.2810.