The City of New York Department of Parks and Recreation has issued a warning advising New Yorkers to stay off frozen lakes or ponds and to use caution on icy park paths.
“We encourage people to enjoy outdoor winter activities, but we urge everyone to stay off the ice on our lakes and ponds and use caution when walking along park paths covered in frozen snow,” said city Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, on Tuesday, December 22.
According to the department, the ability to determine whether a frozen body of water is strong enough to sustain the weight of even a single person is extremely difficult. Walking, or skating on ice should only be attempted when an individual has been specifically notified by a Parks and Recreation staff member that it is safe.
In order to safely enjoy the winter season, the department recommends a number of skating rinks throughout the city, including Wollman Rink in Central Park and The Pond at Bryant Park. Queens residents can visit the World Ice Arena in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/parks or call 3-1-1.
