Ice-Skating in the Parks Update
Dec. 16, 2010 update
Due to the early cold snap, residents are already taking advantage of the ice-skating rinks at Evanston parks. As weather permits this winter, skating rinks will be created at three parks:
Ackerman Park, Central St. at McDaniel;
Dawes Park Lagoon, Sheridan Rd. at Church St.;
and Baker Park, Forest Ave. at Keeney St. .
Please be aware that there are no attendants on duty to supervise rinks and shelter houses will not be open. Skating conditions vary throughout the season, based on air temperature, sunshine levels and snowfall. The Dawes Park Lagoon has good quality ice most frequently, as it is not created on turf.
What does it take to make ice that's ready for skating? It takes three consecutive days of temperatures 15 degrees or lower to have sufficient frost penetration of the ground. It then takes at least six days of applying water to have ice thick enough to skate upon, and a warm spell and significant snowfall will disrupt the ice-making process.
Traditionally, the latest time that skating takes place is in mid-February. For a recorded message regarding outdoor ice rink conditions, please call 847/859-7822, ext. 8.