From park pathways to outdoor ice rinks, there are plenty of reasons to lace up the skates or winter boots as the mercury drops.
“The City of Markham is ready for winter,” Mayor Frank Scarpitti assures. “Whether it’s a walk on one of our trails or skating at one of our outdoor rinks, make the best of winter by staying active and having fun outdoors.”
The Winter Parks Pathway Maintenance Program includes 25.3 kilometres of asphalt or concrete pathways, which will be cleared within 24 to 48 hours following the end of a winter event in which snow accumulation reaches five centimetres or more.
Five outdoor public skating rinks will be open again this season pending weather conditions: Huntington Park, Victoria Square Park, Milliken Mills Park, Markham Museum and Milne Dam Park. The city will maintain those rinks and use a flag system at each location to signal when the ice is safe to use. Onsite parking is available at all locations.
Skaters can also enjoy the Markham Civic Centre outdoor refrigerated ice rink, but residents are reminded to stay off city ponds, stormwater ponds and waterways. They’re designed to have water flowing in and out of them all year long from rainfall and snowmelt, so the ice is unpredictable and unsafe, the city explains.
Residents are also reminded to be patient as crews maintain and clear more than 2,250 kilometres of roads and more than 1,150 kilometres of sidewalks. Snow clearing begins with the largest and busiest roads – known as arterial or primary roads – followed by secondary roads that serve schools, community centres, and industrial and commercial areas. Residential roads and lanes are the last to be cleared.
The East Markham Operations Yard near the northwest corner of Ninth Line and Major Mackenzie Drive boosts winter maintenance response times across the city. Wondering when your street will be cleared? Check the status of snowplows using the Winter Maintenance App at markham.ca/winter.
Photo: Five outdoor public skating rinks will be open again this season. Photo courtesy of the City of Markham.
