New, Temporary Skating Rink Unveiled At Brookfield Zoo

BROOKFIELD, IL – Guests venturing out to Brookfield Zoo this winter can now lace up their ice skates. The Chicago Wolves and the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, are teaming up to unveil a new temporary addition to the zoo – a skating rink.

The zoo said the 40-foot x 80-foot rink is located on the zoo’s East Mall and will be open daily from noon to 4:30 p.m. for zoogoers starting Saturday, Nov. 3, and closing for the season Jan. 27, 2019. Throughout the zoo’s Holiday Magic festival, the rink will have extended hours from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Chicago Wolves to bring this exciting, new attraction to our guests,” CZS Chief Operating Officer Rich Gamble said in a release. “The skating rink will be a great addition to the variety of winter activities taking place at Brookfield Zoo this holiday season, including the annual Tree Trim event and Holiday Magic festival, and the inaugural Reindeer Run and Lights & Lagers.”

The zoo said the rink is made of a synthetic plastic known as Glice®– a material composed of heat-pressed layers of polymers – so no water or electricity is required for operation. Brookfield Zoo joins Detroit Zoo and Columbus Zoo as the only zoos in the country to install a Glice® rink.

“It’s an honor to team up with Brookfield Zoo to give people the chance to enjoy something new for the holidays,” Wolves President Mike Gordon said in a release. “We hope the opening of the Chicago Wolves Skating Rink marks the start of another must-do tradition for families throughout the Chicago area.”

The cost for unlimited time for all skaters on the rink is $7. A limited number of skates are available to rent for a $5 fee. Skaters are welcome to bring their own skates.

Image via Shutterstock.