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Ice Skating Rink in Wicker Park? Volunteers Sought for Next Winter

By Alisa Hauser | March 2, 2015 9:33am
 At Wicker Park's namesake park.
Snowy Wicker Park
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WICKER PARK — An ice skating rink could be coming to Wicker Park's namesake park — but only if volunteers can form a committee to make the attraction a reality next winter.

"Lots of people have said they want a rink; it needs community support and dedication. We are trying to see if we can form a workable committee to investigate how many groups can work together to design it, fund it and maintain it," said Doug Wood, treasurer of the Wicker Park Advisory Council.

Outside of a smattering of private ice rinks, currently there are just eight outdoor rinks in Chicago Park District parks, all of which closed for the season on Sunday. Maggie Daley's rink will close this Sunday.

Just south of the CTA Blue Line Damen "L" stop, Wicker Park's park at 1425 N. Damen Ave. has a fountain, a softball field, basketball courts, a garden, a playground and a dog park.

The advisory council, a volunteer group that works to create events in the park, also collaborates with a garden club, which tends to the park's gardens and a dog park committee, which maintains the dog park.

A special meeting to discuss the ice rink plan is set for 7 p.m. next Tuesday, March 10 in the Wicker Park Field House, 1425 N. Damen Ave. Anyone interested in being part of the rink should attend, Wood said.

Wood said that identifying funding sources, working with the Chicago Park District to create a rink design and drafting a five-year plan could be among the new committee's responsibilities.

In addition to next week's ice rink meeting, the group will also have its regular monthly gathering at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the field house.

The focus of Tuesday's meeting will be discussing fundraising goals for summer programs, including movies, an open mic, yoga and an outdoor classical music series, Wood said.

For more information on the Wicker Park Advisory Council, visit the group's website or email Wood to get involved.

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