Richmond Hill advising residents to stay off frozen bodies of water

Free outdoor skating available at Richmond Green Skate Trail beginning Jan. 8

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 10, 2022
Yoyo Yan

The City of Richmond Hill is advising everyone to stay off of lakes, rivers, ponds and stormwater ponds, as the ice may not be safe.

Even if the weather has been cold, other factors such as water flow, fluctuating water levels and snow on the ice can contribute to unsafe conditions. In addition, even if the ice at the water's edge seems safe, it can get weaker as you get further out.

Skating is prohibited at all Richmond Hill stormwater ponds. Unlike natural ponds, stormwater ponds are designed to collect and release runoff from rainfall and snowmelt to help prevent flooding in the community. As a result, water levels change rapidly due to the constant water flow. The pond water may also contain road salt and other contaminants, which contribute to poor ice quality.

These factors combine to create dangerous and unpredictable conditions, which put your safety and the safety of our emergency responders at risk.

Know what to do if you're out on the ice alone and in trouble or if you witness someone fall through the ice. Visit the Canadian Red Cross website for details.

OUTDOOR SKATING OPPORTUNITIES IN RICHMOND HILL

Residents are invited to glide through the trees at the Richmond Green Skate Trail, which opens on Saturday, Jan. 8. Admission is free and registration is not required.

The 250-metre looped trail has lights for evening skating, music, seating for lacing up your skates and ample parking. Change rooms are closed, but heated washrooms are available.

The skate trail is located at 1300 Elgin Mills Rd. E. right next to Tom Graham Arena. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For skate trail conditions, call the hotline at 905-771-5490.

City staff are also planning to open rinks at Mill Pond and Lake Wilcox this winter if ice conditions and provincial COVID-19 restrictions permit. Please obey posted signage and stay off the ice until the rinks are open.

Visit RichmondHill.ca/OutdoorSkating for details and what you need to know before coming to the skate trail.

HELP KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE

Residents are reminded that you can help slow the spread of COVID-19 by doing the following:

Stay home if you're sick, even with mild symptoms.

Maintain physical distancing of at least two metres from others.

Wear a mask or face covering indoors, as well as outdoors if you cannot physical distance.

Wash your hands thoroughly and often.

Get vaccinated, including your third (booster) shot, as soon as you are eligible.