WAYS TO PLAY
Outdoor Ice Rinks
LOCATION
Centennial Ice Rinks • 2300 Old Glenview Road, Wilmette
POINT OF CONTACT
Florence Krieger Skating Supervisor
PHONE
POINT OF CONTACT
Sayre Froelich
Ice Rentals/Aquatics Supervisor
PHONE
POINT OF CONTACT
Rochelle Kruse Aquatic and Ice General Manager
PHONE
2025 Outdoor Ice Rinks are OPEN!
Enjoy the ice!
Outdoor Ice Locations
The Wilmette Park District maintains three outdoor ice rinks: Gillson Park (*closed for 2025 due to construction), Mallinckrodt Park and Thornwood Park*. The availability of outdoor ice is dependent on weather conditions. Outdoor ice rinks are maintained by Park District crews.
*Gillson Park NOT AVAILABLE IN 2025
Use of Outdoor Ice Rinks
Mallinckrodt Park and Gillson Park can be used for recreational skating only (NO HOCKEY). When usable, Mallinckrodt and Gillson Park outdoor ice rinks are lighted for evening use.
Mallinckrodt Park can be used for recreational skating only (no hockey). Thornwood Park is available for pond hockey as well as recreational skating. When usable in 2025, Mallinckrodt and Thornwood Park outdoor ice rinks will be equipped with lighting for evening use.
- Mallinckrodt Park
Located north of the building on Elmwood Ave. Parking is available in the north parking lot.
Lights On: Monday-Thursday, sunset-8 pm; Friday-Sunday, sunset-9:30 pm
- Thornwood Park
Located off of Thornwood Ave. Parking is available along Dartmouth Ave.
Lights On: Sunday-Thursday, sunset-7:30 pm
Friday & Saturday, sunset-9 pm
- Gillson Park
Located: Area west of the tennis courts
Lights On: Monday-Sunday, sunset-10 pm
Restrooms: Upper floor restrooms open daily, 7 am-5 pm
- Mallinckrodt Park
Located: Located: North side of building on Elmwood, north lot parking available
Lighted: Monday-Thursday, sunset-8 pm; Friday-Sunday, sunset-9:30 pm
When Do We Make Ice?
What conditions are needed in order to make ice?
- The ground must be frozen at least six inches deep, otherwise the water being put down will thaw the ground and soak in.
- At least one week of low teens or lower temperatures is needed before the ground is firm enough to convert to a sheet of ice.
- Freezing temperatures are needed at night, preferably below 20 degrees to make ice.
- Once started, it usually takes up to a week to make ice and even longer if there is no snow when the work begins.
- The outdoor ice rinks are maintained until temperatures rise high enough for them to thaw. Work on the outdoor ice stops after February 1 once temperatures are forecast to stay at a level that ice cannot be maintained.
Indoor ice skating is available year-round at Centennial Ice Rinks, 2300 Old Glenview Rd., Wilmette.
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