Dave K., Illinois YardRink Owner Since 2024
When we left the city and moved into the suburbs, we were looking for more space, a yard—and maybe even a little more ice time. As a lifelong hockey player, I’d always dreamed of having a backyard rink, and now that dream finally felt possible.
Why I Chose YardRink
I grew up playing hockey, so the love of the game is in my blood, and getting my kids involved in one of my favorite sports was a big goal. Once we settled outside of Chicago, I started researching backyard rink systems. I looked at different kits and compared features—but YardRink stood out from the start.
What caught my attention was the outer liner and the curved boards. That combination gave it the look and feel of a real rink, which was exactly what I wanted for my kids’ first experience with outdoor ice.
From Setup to Skating: Let the Games Begin
The entire process was a breeze. YardRink made it easy—the kit came together quickly, and within no time I was flooding the rink and counting down to our first skate.
Once the ice froze, winter fun officially kicked off. My two boys – ages 12 and 9 – were out on the ice whenever they could be working on their skills or just goofing around and having fun. Some days, I would set up cones and we’d work on our skills, from cutbacks and drags to stick handling and shots on goal. As soon as pucks started ricocheting off the boards, I knew it was time to install the puck retention nets to keep us from chasing pucks across the yard.
There’s something about the sound of skates on ice in your own backyard that never gets old.
Our Winter Hangout Spot
This winter wasn’t just about hockey—it was about quality time. Less screen time, more outdoor play. With the rink, our fire pit, and a backyard igloo we set up, our house quickly became the neighborhood hangout. We had kids over all the time, and our backyard transformed into the place to be.
Already Planning for Next Year
We built a good-sized rink this year, but I’m already thinking ahead to next season. If we can flatten out a bit more of our yard’s slope, we may even expand it. Living just north of Chicago, we’re no strangers to cold weather—and this year we had at least 40 solid days of skating. Not bad for our first season.
I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to YardRink. My kids loved it. I loved it. And this is just the beginning.
Thinking about building your own ODR? YardRink made our first season simple, fun, and unforgettable.
