Looking for places to sled in Galesburg? The city has you covered.

Jay Redfern, Galesburg Register-Mail
·1 min read
Logan Gaither, 9, left, and younger brother Sawyer Gaither, 6, prepare to sled down the hill Sunday afternoon at Rotary Park. Temperatures were 0 degrees at the time but that didn’t deter several families from enjoying the fresh 5.9 inches of snow Galesburg received Saturday. Some families also made use of the freely available borrow/return sleds courtesy of the City of Galesburg Parks & Recreation Division.

GALESBURG — No sled? No problem. The city of Galesburg Recreation Department has you covered, courtesy of its newly installed "sled libraries."

The sled libraries, which hold a collection of sleds for public use, are available at Galesburg's two official sled hills — Rotary Park, 1625 W. Losey St. and Debbie Klapp Park, 1301 Russell Ave.

Sled libraries, which hold a collection of sleds for public use, are available at Galesburg's two official sled hills —  Rotary Park, 1625 W. Losey St. and Debbie Klapp Park, 1301 Russell Ave.
Sled libraries, which hold a collection of sleds for public use, are available at Galesburg's two official sled hills — Rotary Park, 1625 W. Losey St. and Debbie Klapp Park, 1301 Russell Ave.

"The idea for the sled libraries was created by my recreation staff," said Tony Oligney-Estill, director of Parks and Recreation. "Once we discussed the idea, my park staff built the actual sled libraries and the street division made the signs.

"The city has received very favorable comments regarding the sled libraries," Oligney-Estill.

He said they are exploring expanding the sled libraries to other parks in town.

Other outdoor winter activities

In addition to sledding, other outdoor winter activities provided by the city include:

  • Ice skating rink at Rotary Park.

  • Snowmobiling on the Lake Storey path (as long as there is snow on the ground).

  • Ice fishing in Lake Storey (at your own risk).

  • Cross country skiing in the parks and at Bunker Links Golf Course when there is snow on the ground. The city asks that people cross country skiing at Bunker Links avoid the tee boxes and greens.

This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: City creates sled libraries at Rotary, Klapp parks in Galesburg