Although the weather is cold, the temperatures have not been cold long enough for the ice to be safe to walk or skate on, as there may be still running and moving water underneath the small layer of ice on the surface. This ice will not support someone’s weight and will break.
As a reminder during the winter season, a layer of snow covering the ice does not guarantee that the ice is solid. The City of Springfield Parks Department encourages all residents, especially parents and children, to educate themselves on the danger of unsafe ice and to heed warnings that may be posted. Many lakes and ponds have moving water and require depths of ice in most cases of 8 inches or more.
Residents can access a copy of the Department of Parks, Buildings and recreation Management’s Ice Safety Brochure here or contact the Recreation Division at (413) 787-6434, Monday through Friday.
For those wishing to skate, the Cit of Springfield’s Cyr Arena in Forest Park offers public skating hours on Friday and Saturday, 7:00 pm to 8:50 pm, and Sundays, 2:00 pm to 3:50 pm. Admission is $3.00 for youth and $5.00 for adults, and $4.00 for skate rental, per pair.