Parks become winter wonderlands

All photos by Rita Kallman. Don't hibernate this winter. Ice and snow can be fun at your local park.

By Rita Kallman

The winter beauty of the Wilmette Park District's Gillson Park is breathtaking. Snow clings to the trees and covers the ground. Churning water along the park's Lake Michigan shoreline freezes forming crags, crevices and ice floes. Water sprayed by northeast winds evolves into huge ice formations that creep up the shoreline creating a dazzling view.

During the 1970s, the solitude of Gillson Park in winter was broken by bird watchers and a few outdoor enthusiasts. Before that time, an outdoor ice rink in the swimming beach parking lot had drawn children and adults to the park. However, lake winds caused beach sand to accumulate on the rink creating a hazard to skaters. The park district closed the outdoor facility and, since the wind and sand problem prevailed throughout the park, no other rink was established.

By 1979, cross-country skiing was becoming one of the country's favorite wintertime sports. The park district's long-range lakefront plan was being implemented. One of its goals was to encourage winter activities in Gillson Park. The park district decided to recycle a portable classroom in the park into a "ski chalet." The building had been purchased in 1970

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for a park district office and commissioners' building. It was vacated in the mid-1970s when other office space was obtained.

The 59-acre park with its flatland and natural bluffs offered perfect conditions for cross-country skiing. A large open piece of land was located next to the chalet. A stand of trees planted to screen sand had grown enough over the years to offer protection from lake winds, allowing the Park District to install a lighted 200 foot by 200 foot ice rink.

The park district purchased 75 pairs of used skis and poles, and 115 pairs of boots. Professional cross-country ski instructors were hired and, as soon as weather permitted, the chalet opened for business. During the first season, Mother Nature provided more than adequate snow and low temperatures for flooding the rink.

Inexpensive introductory lessons were offered during the Christmas holidays to acquaint vacationing youngsters and adults with the sport. No registration was required.

Packages of three beginning or five touring lessons were offered during January and February. Weekly Saturday touring instructional sessions for advanced skiers offered outings in Gillson Park as well as other area locations. The ice rink, located in the shadow of the famous Bahai Temple, attracted hundreds of children and adults.

The chalet offered skiers and skaters hot drinks and snacks. The rental ski equipment was used primarily for park district lesson programs. However, equipment not in use for lessons was rented by the day or weekend at reasonable rates.

The enterprise broke even in 1979. In 1980, a small room was added to the chalet to accommodate the ski equipment and snack shop. The front entrance was enlarged and a foyer was added to improve accessibility

Weather dictates the success of the program. The original lesson program has been expanded and the word of Gillson Park as a winter wonderland has spread. School, church and club groups come for night-time ski outings and others enjoy cookouts in conjunction with the park district's touring outings. "Many more people have been drawn to the area since we started these programs," says Lakefront Supervisor Dave Norman. "Once they see how beautiful the area is in winter, they often return bringing their friends. The frozen icescape holds a tremendous fascination for many."

There is no admission charge for cross-country skiing in any of Wilmette's parks or for ice skating on any of its four ice rinks, three of which are lighted. A lighted toboggan slide, designed for the playground set, also is available free of charge.

Even though cross-country skiing has attracted many to long skis, downhill skiing remains a favorite. The park district offers day, night and weekend trips to Wisconsin and Michigan ski resorts for nine-year-olds through high school students. Park-sponsored trips offer the convenience and safety of bus transportation and qualified chaperones. Tubing excursions and snow sculpting contests also dot the winter schedule.

While Gillson Park is the scene of most activity, the Stephen R. Keay Nature Learning Center has become a popular winter spot for nature lovers. The 4.6-acre center includes a pond which is aerated for maintenance of aquatic life during winter. Wildlife stations and 20 bird feeders attract a variety of birds and animals. The park district's naturalist schedules a variety of free outdoor educational programs. Photography, tree identification, wildlife survival, tracking and birding walks attract hardy souls even in the coldest months. Even though birds are plen-

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tiful at the center, bird watchers still flock to Gillson Park. The rare sighting of an oceanic bird 4,000 miles from its home in the outer Aleutian Islands recently attracted hundreds to the lakefront.

Skiers, skaters and naturalists may telephone for a recorded message any time of day or night telling the ice and snow conditions and temperatures in Wilmette's parks. But first they are encouraged by Dave to "Come out and embrace the magic of winter in nature's wonderful land of beauty — beautiful Gillson Park."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rita Kallman, publicist for the Wilmette Park Distict, is a graduate of Andover Academy in Massachusetts and Northwestern University ( bachelor of music in applied piano). She formerly was a model. Ms. Kallman turned to the recreation and leisure profession after becoming a curling instructor.

A professional instructor teaches the proper technique striding during an introductory lesson in Gillson Park.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 13 January/February 1985