Autumn is a wonderful season of change. The leaves change their colors and fall, leaving behind bare trees, and warm summer breezes turn quickly into chill winds that announce the coming of winter. While the fall is a perfect time to try pumpkin-flavored everything, it is also the perfect time to prepare your backyard for a backyard skating rink. Nothing transforms a Chicago home in the winter quite like a backyard ice rink, and if you’re ready to really enjoy your winter without sacrificing the use of your outdoor space, a backyard skating rink is just the thing for you! However, you can’t just wait for the first snow of the year to set up your winter wonderland – you have to plan ahead! Here are some of the steps you can take to prepare your yard for a backyard ice rink. Continue reading →

The backyard is a haven for family fun during the summer. With barbecue grills blazing, families all over America head outdoors for a refreshing dip in the pool, a game of tag around the jungle gym, or a few rounds of H.O.R.S.E. on the backyard basketball court. The winter, however, is a different story. In Chicago, it can be difficult to convince children and adults alike to spend much time outside in the wintertime. Backyards take on an abandoned atmosphere since grills and pools are covered and the jungle gym and basketball court are probably covered in ice or snow. All hope for outdoor winter-based fun is not lost though; families who want to spend more time outdoors with friends and family are turning more and more to backyard ice skating rinks! Continue reading →