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📸 Credit: Batavia Park District
Looking to lace up your skates and enjoy some classic winter fun close to home?
Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles all offer free outdoor ice skating options when weather conditions cooperate — with a few important safety rules and status checks to keep in mind before you head out.
Batavia
The Depot Pond is the city’s long-time skating spot along the Riverwalk, which will be open as soon as safe ice conditions have been met.
Bring your own skates, as rentals are not available.
Aspiring skaters should check the Riverwalk flag status before going, check the Batavia Park District social media, or call 630-879-5235 for updates.
When the pond is open, City Hall at 100 N. Island Avenue serves as a warming center, with visitors asked to check in at the Batavia Police Department front desk.
Get more information on ice skating in Batavia.
Geneva
The city maintains two free outdoor rinks at Wheeler Park (410 Wheeler Drive) (one sheet for general skating and one for hockey) plus an additional rink next to Mill Creek Pool at 39W125 South Mill Creek Drive.
All rinks are weather permitting, and skaters must bring their own skates.
Ice-making begins only after temperatures stay at 20 degrees or below for at least 48 hours.
Updates are available through the Rainout Line app, the Weather Corner section of genevaparks.org, or by calling 630-206-1174.
Get more information on ice skating in Geneva.
St. Charles
Free outdoor skating and hockey are offered at Lincoln Park (skating only, dawn to dusk) and Langum Park (hockey only, lighted until 9PM).
Skaters must provide their own skates and equipment and are asked to respect nearby residents when using neighborhood parks.
Ice can only be made after three consecutive days at 15 degrees or lower, followed by at least five days below 32 degrees, so rink openings depend heavily on extended cold stretches.
Call the St. Charles Park District at 630-513-6200 for updates.
Before heading out, it’s a good idea to check each city’s rink status updates so you don’t show up to locked gates — or unsafe ice.
Get more information on ice skating in St. Charles.
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