Downhill From Here

By
Appears in the December 2022 issue.

A primer on the best sledding hills

Rotary Hill
Rotary Hill

After a few inches of fresh snowfall, sledding brings some wintry thrills and chills. Here’s the lowdown on the best hills to hit.

Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park

AURORA

Waubonsie Lake Park
Waubonsie Lake Park

For one of the steepest options in the area, head to Oakhurst Forest Preserve (1680 Fifth Ave.), where the land that was dug out to create the preserve’s 55-acre lake now makes for a splendid sledding hill. Fox Valley Park District also has designated sledding at Lincoln Park (Russell Avenue and Lakewood Place), McCullough Park (150 W. Illinois Ave.), and Waubonsie Lake Park (998 Kautz Rd.) All hills are open until sunset.

Details: kaneforest.com and foxvalleyparkdistrict.org

 

Rotary Hill
Rotary Hill

NAPERVILLE

The sled hill at Wolf’s Crossing Community Park (3252 Wolf’s Crossing Rd.) debuted in 2021 and is Naperville Park District’s newest option for downhill fun. The large slope is great for older kids and is open until dusk. When it’s chilly enough, the sand volleyball courts are iced over into a skating rink as well. The Riverwalk Sled Hill at Rotary Hill (443 Aurora Ave.) next to the Millennium Carillon is also lit until 10 p.m. The park district operates several other unlit sled hills that are open from dawn until dusk at Arrowhead Park (711 Iroquois Ave.), Brook Crossings (1015 95th St.), Country Lakes Park (1835 N. Aurora Rd.), Gartner Park (524 W. Gartner Rd.), May Watts Park (804 S. Whispering Hills Dr.), and Weigand Riverfront Park (2436 S. Washington St.).

Details: napervilleparks.org/sledding

 

Ebersold Park
Ebersold Park

DOWNERS GROVE

Head to Gilbert Park (1500 Gilbert Ave.), which neighbors Maple Grove Forest Preserve and boasts a pretty decent decline down onto a lit baseball field. (Train fans also will appreciate the Amtrak, Metra, and freight trains whizzing by.) Ebersold Park (5923 Main St.) has a wide, gently sloping hill with parking nearby, making it a great pick for families with young children. Other Downers Grove Park District hills include Concord Square Park (Springside Avenue and Concord Drive) and O’Brien Park (6909 S. Dunham Rd.) All are open until 10 p.m.

Details: dgparks.org/winter-recreation

 

Northside Park
Northside Park

WHEATON

Bridges and a frozen lake make Northside Park (1300 N. West St.) quite the wintry scene, but it’s the sled hill that draws crowds after a snowfall. The Wheaton Park District operates this park and uses rainoutline.com to share whether snow conditions are sufficient for sledding.

Details: wheatonparkdistrict.com

 

St. Charles
St. Charles

GENEVA AND ST. CHARLES

In Geneva, Fabyan Forest Preserve (1925 S. Batavia Ave.) has one of the most picturesque sledding hills around, near its towering historic windmill. The slope is significant enough to pick up some speed—but not too daunting for younger kids—and is open until 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays. St. Charles Park District has sledding hills open until 9 p.m. daily at Timber Trails Park (north end of 17th Street) and Langum Park (Seventh and Madison Avenues), the latter of which is lit until 8 p.m.

Details: kaneforest.com and stcparks.org/winter-activities

 

TOTALLY TUBULAR

Want to give tubing a try this winter? Find details about destination-worthy hills in our cover story here.

 

Photos courtesy of Naperville Park District, Fox Valley Park District, Danielle Strohmier (Ebersold Park), courtesy of Wheaton Park District, and St. Charles Park District