WICKER PARK — A community-powered ice rink has returned to Wicker Park for the winter.
Last weekend, WickerICE was re-installed at the park, 1425 N. Damen Ave.
The rink opens when the ice is ready and there are volunteers signed up to maintain it.
It takes between five and seven days of temperatures colder than 32 degrees for the ice to be properly frozen.
Every Monday, the rink’s schedule of hours and classes are posted on the WickerICE Facebook page. Last year the rink was open 52 days between December and March.
The rink does not have skate rentals, so bring your own skates.
Registration is now open for children’s skating lessons, which take place 10-11 a.m. Saturdays in January, February and March, weather permitting.
Lessons are free if parents sign up for one hour of volunteering or make a donation to the rink.
In addition to children’s lessons, Wicker Ice offers “Stick & Puck” hockey sessions. To participate, players must sign a waiver and wear a helmet. A volunteer monitor must be signed up for each session.
The rink has a maximum capacity of 70 skaters. While it’s “skate at your own risk,” it is recommended skaters wear helmets. View a list of Wicker Ice dos and don’ts here.
Wicker Ice is funded and maintained by the Wicker Park Advisory Council in partnership with the Chicago Park District, 1st, 2nd and 32nd Ward Aldermen, 35 businesses and community organizations, ice rink patrons and volunteers.
WickerICE is only open if the WPAC can obtain funding from sponsors and patrons; no funding is received from the Chicago Park District or other city organizations.
To donate to the maintenance of WickerICE, click here.
To volunteer to teach classes to children or adults, monitor Stick & Puck sessions, resurface the ice or monitor the rink on weekends, click here.
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