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
Outdoor Ice Locations
The Wilmette Park District maintains three outdoor ice rinks: Gillson Park, Mallinckrodt Park and Thornwood Park*. The availability of outdoor ice is dependent on weather conditions. Outdoor ice rinks are maintained by Park District crews.
*Thornwood Park (off Thornwood Avenue, parking is available along Dartmouth Avenue) NOT AVAILABLE IN 2024
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
Located: Located: North side of building on Elmwood, north lot parking available
Lighted: Monday-Thursday, sunset-8 pm; Friday-Sunday, sunset-9:30 pm
- Gillson Park
Located: Area west of the tennis courts
Lighted: Monday-Sunday, 4-10 pm
Restrooms: Upper floor restrooms open daily, 7 am-5 pm
Thornwood Park is available for pond hockey as well as recreational skating at the below times:
- Thornwood Park-not open in 2024
Sunday-Thursday, 8 am-7:30 pm
Friday & Saturday, 8 am-9 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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