City of McHenry officially opens a refrigerated ice rink at Miller Point Park
MCHENRY — located at 1202 N. Riverside Drive, Miller Point Park was part of a redevelopment project that provided the city with a much-needed economic development boost. Features of the improved park include new bathrooms, an amphitheater, a lighted spray water pad, an increase of green space for picnics and playing, as well as an area that can be transitioned into an ice-skating rink, which opened on Dec. 2.
The park redevelopment project happened simultaneously alongside the McHenry Riverwalk Shoppes retail incubator program which works with selected local businesses to provide a physical retail space experience for those “ready to take on the challenge of operating a brick-and-mortar location,” according to the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce.
The McHenry Riverwalk Shoppes are fully owned and managed by the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce. The first incubator participant selections for the 2023 Shoppes season officially debuted in late spring of this year, continuing through the end of October. In November and December, the shops transition into a Holiday Market until the next season. New vendors at the Shoppe will be introduced in May 2024.
The Miller Point Park ice-skating rink is not owned by the chamber, instead being maintained by the City of McHenry Parks and Recreation Department. There are no fees to use the rink, however, individuals are required to bring their own skates as the city works to identify on-site skate rental options.
The Miller Point Park ice rink was made possible due in part to funds raised from the R.I.S. E. (Revitalize, Invest, Succeed, and Encourage) Up Foundation, a nonprofit created by City of McHenry Village President Wayne Jett and his wife, Amber, in 2019 to provide funding for projects specifically focused on enhancing the quality of life for children and their families within the city.
“A few months ago, I was praying about potentially building an ice rink on our Chapel property for the holiday season but felt like the Lord gave me a pause about it. A few days after deciding to wait on this opportunity I saw a post about our city planning to build an ice rink for the community and needing funding,” said Kenny Hackbarth, a pastor for the Chapel McHenry church. “The Lord paused a good opportunity for an even better opportunity. Rather than us inviting people to come to our property we were able to partner with RISE Up Foundation and other partners to fund a community ice rink that will be a blessing for years to come in the heart of our city.”
The ice rink at Miller Point Park includes refrigeration lines to maintain the ice at temperatures 50 degrees Fahrenheit and below.
The ice rink will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. but will close in the event of unfavorable weather conditions or due to required maintenance.
