WICKER PARK — In an effort to bring an ice skating rink to Wicker Park's namesake park, volunteers have crowd-sourced just over $22,400 for the project — but still need to meet a goal of $30,000 by Thursday.
A volunteer meeting is set for 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the park field house, 1425 N. Damen Ave., to discuss rink logistics: lighting, hours of operation, a date for installation and upcoming fundraisers at local venues, according to an agenda.
As an added incentive to contribute, just-introduced beanie hats, available in black and gray and featuring the rink's logo, will be for sale before and after the meeting. The hats cost $20 and all proceeds benefit the rink.
WickerICE hats for sale [Wicker Park Advisory Council]
In the works since March, the plan to build a community-funded ice rink got the blessing of the Chicago Park District, who agreed to permit the creation of an outdoor public ice rink that organizers estimate will cost $30,000 using Elk Grove Village-based vendor Iron Sleet.
As of Tuesday, 91 people or groups — including the Wicker Park Bucktown Special Service Area Taxpayer District No. 33, which kicked in $5,000 — have raised $22,428 toward a $30,000 goal, according to the rink's GoFundMe campaign.
Contribute here: www.gofundme.com/wickerice
As an additional way to give money, Doug Wood, WickerICE committee's coordinator, said he can be reached by email to arrange a check pickup.
The approximately 185-foot-long by 85-foot-wide non-refrigerated rink (NHL rinks are 200-feet by 85-feet) would be open for recreational skating and hockey — weather permitting — from late November through early March in Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen Ave.
Outside of a smattering of private ice rinks, currently there are just eight outdoor rinks in Chicago Park District parks.
The park is just south of the CTA Blue Line Damen stop and a few blocks from Bucktown's Churchill Park, an entry point to the elevated Bloomingdale Trail. Wicker Park currently has a softball field, basketball courts, playground and a dog area.
John Lynch, a Wicker Park resident who lives along the park with his family, donated $1,000, an amount that he says is "hopefully indicative of how much we want it."
"We would use the rink with our kids — especially given the lack of local outdoor winter activities with Chicago's climate and topography. We also think it would put a positive spotlight on why this is one of the best neighborhoods in the city and be just one more reason that families should consider raising their kids here," Lynch said.
For more information on the Wicker Park Advisory Council and the rink, visit the group's website or email Wood to get involved.
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