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Skaters head out for La Grange, but not yet for LaGrange Park
Warmer temperatures prompted a red flag Monday closing the ice rinks at Gilbert Park in La Grange after only a day of skating. | Jane Michaels—Sun-Times Media
Updated: February 11, 2013 6:35AM
LA GRANGE — The green flag was up Sunday morning on the two rinks at Gilbert Park, Gilbert Avenue south of 41st Street, for the first time since a second rink was added but not flooded a year ago due to a mild winter.
The larger eastern rink is designated for open skating for families. A smaller rink to the west is reserved for hockey games, and a fence between the two rinks helps guard against errant pucks.
Park District of LaGrange officials will be keeping a close eye on warming temperatures forecast for the coming week and plan to post whether the ice is suitable on the district’s Facebook page and website, www.pdlg.org. Residents also may call (708) 352-1762.
In LaGrange Park, the ice isn’t fully frozen on the tennis courts of Memorial Park, southeast of Oak Avenue and La Grange Road, said Roy Cripe, executive director of the Park District of LaGrange Park.
Only 2 inches are solid on the rink, which ranges in depth from 3 to 9 inches.
“We were open only six days last years in total. It was very disappointing,” Cripe said. “This year we’ll have to wait and see. It would be nice to have more cold days.”
Even with temperatures forecast to 47 degrees by Friday, that doesn’t spell the end of skating for the season, he said.
“If we’ve got 3 inches of ice, it won’t disappear,” Cripe said. “At least we’re not starting from scratch when it gets cold again.”
To check whether the rink is ready at Memorial Park, call the park district at (708) 354-4580, Ext. 300, or visit the website at www.cpdlagrangepark.com.
