April 13--Rock climbers can get an outdoor workout beginning Saturday when the climbing walls at Maggie Daley Park reopen for a second season.
Surrounded by the ice skating ribbon are the Malkin-Sacks Climbing Walls peaking at 40 feet tall and covering 19,000 square feet of climbing surface for beginners and advanced climbers. Between 25 and 100 climbers can use the walls at a time.
First-time climbers need to get certified. Climbing certification for top rope climbing, which involves the climber wearing a harness, costs $19 and lasts 45 to 60 minutes plus unlimited climb time. Certification for bouldering, which is climbing without a rope or harness, costs $10 and lasts about 15 minutes. The prices include helmet and shoe rental.
Climbers returning this year will have to again complete a certification course or pass a belay check. Certification is required annually, but it stays on file for the season.
Once a person is certified, the daily climbing fee is $7. Equipment including a helmet, harness and shoes can be rented for $15. Prices vary for classes.
The climbing walls are expected to generate $600,000 in revenue this year for the Chicago Park District, a spokeswoman said.
Earlier this month, six new tennis courts opened to the public at the park's northeast corner. On May 6, the 18-hole minigolf course will return to the park south of the BP Bridge.
lvivanco@tribpub.com
