Rahm Emanuel

Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon Officially Open

The rest of the park named after Chicago's former first lady is set to open in spring 2015

The Maggie Daley Park ice skating ribbon officially opened Saturday with a ribbon cutting ceremony in the park attended by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and members of the Daley family.

The park itself will not officially open until spring 2015, but the ice skating ribbon will be open for the public for the winter season.The walkways and three-acre playground in the park also opened Saturday.

The opening of the ice rink coincided with a recent announcement by the Chicago Park District that dogs will not be welcome in the park. Unhappy residents demonstrated at the park at 1 p.m. Saturday following the ceremony.

"It's not fair at all," said dog owner Rick Turin. "People who have dogs in this neighborhood are very responsible. They carry bags with them and they clean up after their own pets."

Mayor Emanuel named the new $60 million park after Chicago's former first lady Maggie Daley as a tribute to "a woman who gave so much of her own time to beautifying our City and improving the lives of children and young people," the mayor said during an announcement about the park last year.

At the ceremony, Emanuel dedicated the park to the kids of Chicago.

The 20-acre park is located in north Grant Park near Columbus Drive, Randolph Street, Monroe Street and Lake Shore Drive. When the construction project is complete, the park will have rock-climbing sculptures and a play garden in addition to the ice skating ribbon.

Skate rentals were free on Saturday for the grand opening. After Saturday they will cost $12. The ice rink will be open until 10 p.m. Saturday night.

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