The Downtown Highland Park Business Alliance will open a new downtown Highland Park outdoor ice skating rink in Port Clinton Square scheduled on Thursday, December 8.

The approx. 50-foot-square rink is made of a synthetic surface called “Xtraice”, and is the closest thing to the real thing. It allows skaters to do everything they would do on ice. Unlike traditional synthetic surfaces, it isn’t weather dependent and doesn’t make skaters stick or slide when skating and offers the best gliding performance.

Starting December 8, 2011, public skating will be open Monday through Thursday 3:15 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday 3:15 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daytime skating hours may be extended when schools let out for winter break. Admission price is $2 and skate rental is $2 when available.

Amy Amdur, Marketing Chairperson for the Downtown Highland Park Alliance said, “Shoppers will surely be put in a festive mood when visiting downtown Highland Park where they can skate, shop, and eat. We have created a unique festive shopping and entertainment destination experience on the North Shore in Downtown Highland Park. The ice rink is something that we expect to be a new treasured tradition in downtown Highland Park for years to come.”

Xtraice can be found around the whole world in USA, Europe, Asia, and more than 40 countries in 5 continents. Current users of this ice rink product include Disney and the NHL Florida Panthers.

Considered one of the best shopping, dining and entertainment destinations on the North Shore, Highland Park offers a quaint “hometown” feel in its downtown area, coupled with some of the best boutiques and restaurants in the entire Chicagoland area.
For more information, visit the Downtown Highland Park Alliance at www.downtownhp.com.