With cold and frosty temperatures in the forecast, you might be tempted to do some skating outdoors, or play a game of shinny on the ice.
You can even hear Frozen’s Elsa singing in your head, “The cold never bothered me anyway!”
Ice on stormwater management and park ponds and other watercourses are not monitored or maintained by anyone, and there may be thin spots where unseen currents continue to flow all winter long with road salt and ice-melting materials that have been washed off the road network and private properties potentially weakening the ice.
But residents are being reminded to skate worry-free at the City of Markham’s Civic Centre outdoor skating rink or at any one of Markham’s new unrefrigerated outdoor ice rinks that are maintained by the city (www.markham.ca/skating).
The rinks can be found at Huntington Park, Markham Museum, Milliken Mills Park, Milne Dam Park and Victoria Square where a flag system at each location signals when the ice is safe to use.
Three of the outdoor rinks will be lit up for night skating including Victoria Square Park and Huntington Square and Milliken. Time are also posted when hockey sticks are allowed and when it is skating only.
If you prefer to stay warm indoors, apply for a Markham Public Library (https://markhampubliclibrary.ca/) eCard online. Then curl up with an e-Book, sign up for virtual programs, or enjoy Literacy Day with the family.
Photo: Frigid weather conditions didn’t deter brothers Andy and Kevin Zhang from hitting the ice and having some fun on the outdoor rink at Milne Dam Park. The local park is one of five the City of Markham has opened up for the winter.
