Winter Skating Not Recommended On Natural Ponds Or Storm Water Management Ponds

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:51:20 +0000

It has been really mild winter here in Aurora and surroundings. Snowing one day, melting the other day. Temperature below zero, next day everything is melting.

I kind of enjoy this snow melting game because less dirty snow on the side roads. Nothing like a blanket of fresh white snow every time making everything look like winter wonderland.

Just recent cold temperatures allowed formation of ice on our local natural ponds or storm water management ponds, but the ice may not be too thick for skating. Warmer temperatures do add to potential hazardous conditions.

Atkinson Park Wetland

Due to mild winter conditions and not having outdoor skating rings, lot of kids manage to get out and skate on the local ponds despite all the warnings. Some ponds may not be even deep to be hazardous, but this is only an assumption.

When I moved to Aurora in 1997 the McKenzie Marsh always been a very popular place for public skating. The two lane St. John’s side used to be packed with parked cars on both sides when families came to skate.

When the boardwalk came along there is no more skating on the North side of St. John’s sideroad (McKenzie Marsh), but kids get away with skating on the South side (Atkinson Park Wetland). Now it is only a small group of boys playing hockey. Every time they manage to bring the hockey net which sometimes is half sunk in the pond.

Atkinson Park Wetland

According to the website, ‘The Town of Aurora strongly recommends that these bodies of water not be used for recreational purposes of any kind, including winter skating, as ice conditions on these ponds are extremely unpredictable and potentially hazardous.‘

Unfortunately, recommendations are not taken so seriously here in Aurora.

Atkinson Park Wetland

Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Storm Water

Winter Skating Not Recommended On Natural Ponds Or Storm Water Management Ponds