Friends of the Parks

10 Best Winter Activities in Parks

Stay active, get outdoors, remain fit and enjoy the pleasures of Chicago’s winter season by embracing outside activities in Chicago’s parks. 

Ice Skate

Ice skate at 10 Chicago Park District neighborhood ice skating rinks or under the glow of the downtown lights at the McCormick Tribune Plaza and Ice Rink in Millennium Park. Skating at all Chicago Park District outdoor rinks is FREE. Bring your own ice skates or rent ice skates at all outdoor rinks.  Go to www.chicagoparkdistrict.com for locations.

Cross Country Ski

Cross country ski on freshly fallen snow along Chicago’s lakefront and in neighborhood parks.  Miles of parks are open for free cross country skiing.  In addition, Chicago’s nine public golf courses are not just for putting and riding around in carts, they are favorite places to cross country ski when the snow falls. 

Have Fun at the Polar Adventure Day

January 21, 2012

Northerly Island Park 

The Chicago Park District’s Polar Adventure Day offers family winter fun activities on Northerly Island.   Watch sculptors carve ice sculptures, pet assorted animals, learn about dog sledding, play with Siberian huskies, and enjoy live entertainment including storytelling centered around winter tales.  http://lakeviewpolarbearclub.com/Registration.html

Take an Icy Dip in Lake Michigan at the Polar Bear Plunge

January 28, 2012, Noon

Oak Street Beach

This is a long-standing annual event that attracts hundreds of brave Chicagoans to Oak Street Beach for a dive into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan.  Swimmers strip down to their swimsuits and try to plunge into the icy January waters (many getting as far as their toes) before retreating back to shore.  Whether you join in or prefer to be a spectator, this goofy, adrenaline-spiked crowd makes for a riotous fun time.  http://lakeviewpolarbearclub.com/Registration.html

Take a Walk in the Quiet Beauty of the Winter Landscape

Stay fit by taking a brisk daily walk in the park all winter long.  The lakefront and regional parks offer miles of walking trails. Chicago parks are beautiful all year long!

Go Sledding

As soon as the snow falls, take your family sledding at one of several sledding hills in the parks.  Cricket Hill at Montrose in Lincoln Park is the highest hill for sledding.  There are also sledding hills in Burnham Park, just south of Soldier Field and the Diversey Hill just south of Diversey along Cannon Drive, as well as in Stearns Quarry and Warren Park. 

Run along the Lakefront Trail

Don’t let winter slow you down from running. Whether you are training for a race or just run for fun go for a daily run in your local park.  Make sure you dress in layers and enjoy the wintery view.   The lakefront trail is generally plowed after snowfalls.

Sign Up for Winter Fun Runs and Races

Run with thousands of Chicagoans in one the many winter races Chicago has to offer such as the Shamrock Shuffle, the Super Bowl Shuffle 5K or Cupid’s Chase 5K.  Check out the link to the Chicago Area Runners Association for a schedule of upcoming races. http://www.cararuns.org/Racing/Find%20a%20Race.aspx

Try a new activity: Snowshoe in the Parks

All you need is a fresh snow to enjoy the extraordinary quiet and peace of Chicago’s winter white landscape.  Strap on snowshoes and walk in any neighborhood, regional or lakefront park.   Check out REI to rent snowshoes.  www.rei.com

Play in the Snow

Grab a hat and pull on your mittens because a fresh coating of snow is the perfect playground for kids young and old. Make a snow angel, build a snowman, or have a snowball fight with your friends.

Send Friends of the Parks photos of your winter hijinks (stonem@fotp.org)