❄️ Winter Recreation
The Rockford Park District offers plenty of fun outdoor recreation options during the winter months. When conditions allow, you can enjoy the Snow Park at Alpine Hills, sledding hills, cross country skiing trails, snowmobile trails, and outdoor ice skating.
We also have holiday lights information listed below, and details about the annual Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition.
❌ Winter Recreation Activities Restrictions
Powered snow sleds or powered ice boats or any like vehicle shall not be operated, managed, or used by any person on any body of water or in any park or golf course under the jurisdiction or control of the Rockford Park District without the express consent of the Director. Other winter sports activities, such as skating, sledding, or tobogganing shall be prohibited in areas not operated/programmed for or designated and marked by signs for such use. Any violation of this ordinance shall subject the violator to the penalties provided in Chapter XI of the Rockford Park District Code.
The District may from time to time permit the driving or operation of snowmobiles or other like motor driven vehicles on District property as shall, from time to time, be determined by the Executive Director.
A. Public notice of such permission shall be given by posting at or near such areas signs of sufficient size and frequency to advise the public as to the area or areas wherein snowmobiles are permitted to operate; however, this does not authorize snowmobiles or other like motor vehicles to be operated in any other area of any park within the District.
B. No snowmobile or other vehicle shall be operated anywhere within the District unless the snow cover at the point of operation is at least four inches in depth, as certified by the Director or his designee.
C. No person shall drive any snowmobile or other like vehicle within the park system at a speed greater than 35 miles per hour or greater than is reasonable and proper with regard to conditions which prevail at the time, or at a speed that endangers the safety of any person or property.
Access to ice for ice fishing for any reason is prohibited unless designated.
🎄Holiday Lights
Rockford Park District’s Nichols Conservatory & Gardens features beautiful holiday lights every season at All Aglow. The annual light display features more than 300,000 lights and is free and open to the public during the holiday season.
The annual Festival of Lights is held in Sinnissippi Park. The drive-through display is free and open to the public on select days and hours. View more information at the website link below.
In addition, the Rockford Park District maintenance team creates winter light displays at select parks throughout the city. See the list of the participating parks at the Making Parks Bright website link below.
