Ice Skating Rink

Palos Heights Ice Rink



Current Ice Status: CLOSED AS OF 2/5/2023 DUE TO WARM CONDITIONS


6597 West 127th Street


Hours of Operations when skating conditions exist:

8:00am -Dusk

Holiday Hours:

  • Christmas Eve/ New Year's Eve:  9:00am-3:00p

  • Christmas Day/ New Year's Day:  Closed


Rules: 

  • Red Flag indicates conditions for the skating are poor and the rink is CLOSED.
  • Green Flag indicates conditions for skating exist and the rink in OPEN.
  • Please stay off ice when it is closed.
  • The ice rink can be closed any time for maintenance.
  • No Hockey- No Hockey sticks, puck, or goals allowed.
  • No fighting, horseplay, or snowball throwing on or near the ice rink.
  • Ice skates are required to be on ice. No shoes, boots, or other footwear allowed.
  • All skaters under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult.
  • No alcohol or tobacco products allowed. 

WARNING: Use of this Facility is at YOUR OWN RISK.

  • This public skating rink is used by both experienced and inexperienced skaters. 
  • Serious injury may result from falling or colliding.
  • The City of Palos Heights does not assume responsibility for injuries, damage or thefts of personal property.   

General Information/ Safety

  • The ice rink is an unsupervised activity and facility, participate at your own risk. There are no attendants on duty.
  • The ice skating season will be late-December through late-February.
  • An attempt to make ice will be made when conditions are right. This includes a prolonged period of temperatures below freezing and ground temperature below freezing. It can take several days to make ice for skating. The rink will be closed during resurfacing.
  • Outdoor ice has imperfections and the condition can change quickly, always inspect the ice before you skate. Safety is the priority.
  • All skaters must stay off the ice until it is safe for skating, as indicated by the flag system. Skating on unfit ice can ruin the liner and prohibit ice from forming.
  • During snow events of more than one inch of snow accumulation on the ice the snow removal priority will remain City streets, facility parking lots, and sidewalks. The snow and ice will be cleared after the the conclusion of the snow event and when other snow removal duties are complete. Snow will not be removed on Holidays and may take longer on weekends.
  • The ice rink will be closed in the case of extreme temperatures. 



Maintenance Procedures for Outdoor Ice Rinks

 The Recreation Department strives to provide access to our outdoor skating venue, but we are reliant on Mother Nature. Please be patient and help us provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all of our users.


Outdoor ice rinks are created when weather is cold enough. The rinks will display a green flag when the rink is open for use and a red flag when they are closed. Bring your own skates, there are no rentals available.

1. The physics behind water freezing is surprisingly complex and depends, among many other factors, on surface/ground temperature, water temperature, water depth, water area, air temperature, and sunlight. Water simply doesn’t freeze instantly outside any more than it does in a freezer.

2. Ice itself is an insulator. The thicker the ice, the longer it takes the underlying water to freeze at a given temperature.

3. The greater the water depth and area the longer it will take to freeze at any given temperature. A 10ft X 10ft. area of water 2in deep at 25 degrees Fahrenheit could take more than a week to freeze.

4. Direct sunlight on the surface of the ice causes it to melt, especially if the ice is cloudy.

5. Debris (leaves, sticks, dirt) in the ice absorbs heat and creates holes in and on the ice that may make the surface unsafe.

6. Skating wears away the surface of the ice, decreasing thickness and safety. That is why indoor rinks use Zambonis to resurface, and add water to, the ice. The City typically tries to re-apply a top coat of water and will close the outdoor rink until it is safe to skate. Ideally this is done in low temperatures (Under 20 degrees) so that it can be opened 8-10 hrs later, but warmer temps can push that time to over a day.

7. Ice rinks are inspected daily during the outdoor skating season for safety. If deemed unsafe or susceptible to damage, they are closed.

8. Damaged ice can be very difficult to repair. It is better (and safer) to close for a day or two to prevent damage than to close for 2½ weeks to repair the ice.

9. Fluctuating temperatures will cause the ice to melt, which means it has to refreeze, with the same variability as freezing the first time.

10. Staff will provide a green flag notification at the outdoor ice rink when it is open for skating and a red flag when it is closed.