Downers Grove Park District offers plenty of winter activities

DOWNERS GROVE - Snow and colder temperatures are no excuse to stay inside, and the Downers Grove Park District offers a variety of winter activities including sledding, ice skating and cross country skiing.

Sledding is available at Gilbert Park, O’Brien Park, Concord Park and Ebersold Park from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

The district reminds people that they are responsible for safety while sledding on Downers Grove Park District grounds. Parents are encouraged to make sure supervision is provided before letting children play on the hills. Please check to make sure the hills are safe for sledding.

This winter the park district will maintain unsupervised ice skating at McCollum Park and Doerhoefer Park. Prince Pond ice skating is not be available in 2021 due to the dredging of the pond and other park improvements.

Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through February. It takes several days of single-digit and low-teen temperatures for sufficient ice to form. Ice maintenance will occur after staff has completed snow plowing duties for the day.

Ice Skating Conditions

Locate the flag pole at each location for current skating conditions before stepping on the ice. Park district staff monitors thickness and requires 8 inches of ice to open for skating. Green flags indicate ice rink conditions are safe at cleared spots only. Red flags indicate dangerous skating conditions; rink is closed.

Locations:

• Doerhoefer Park: Venard Road north of Ogden Avenue. The Ice rink is located on the tennis courts in the northwest corner of the park. Park in the Venard Road parking lot.
• McCollum Park: 6801 S. Main St. Ice rink is located on the tennis courts in the northwest corner of the park. Park in the north lot near Miner Mike’s Adventure Golf.

Unsupervised cross country skiing and allowed at the Downers Grove Golf Club with no charge to the participant. There must be at least 4 inches of snow on the ground and skiing must take place during daylight hours.

Rent a pair of snowshoes at Lyman Woods. When there are at least 4 inches of snow on the trails, both adult and children’s snowshoes will be available for use. Snowshoes are available during regular Interpretive Center hours on a first-come, first-served basis. The rental fee for each pair is $6 for a 3-hour rental. Credit cards, checks and cash are accepted. Click here for snowshoeing status. Guided snow shoe hikes and extended hours for snow shoeing at Lyman Woods will be added throughout the winter when there’s enough snow. Call 630-963-9388 for information.