There's Ice Skating in Greenwich ... Just Not on Local Ponds, River

Don’t let this week’s cold snap lure you or your kids into thinking it’s safe to skate on Greenwich ponds and rivers.

The Parks and Recreation Department has posted those red and white warning signs to stay off the ice in Binney Park, Bruce Park and the Mianus River pond. Skating is prohibited at all town-owned parks, according to Greenwich Police.

Parks and Recreation Director Joseph Siciliano, “Stay of the ice. We are encouraging people to use the public skating rink where it is safe and warm.” He added, “We really need a prolonged cold spell for the ponds to freeze over.”

Public skating is available at the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink, Sherman Avenue. A schedule of public skating hours, classes and fees can be found here.

The department also has coordinated with Greenwich Police for the possibility of cold water rescues in the event a person or pet falls through thin ice, Siciliano said. A cold-water rescue exercise was held two weeks ago.

Police advise, “ If you see someone who has fallen through the ice, DO NOT WALK out to them, you may become another victim. Instead try to reach them with a tree branch, rope, or shovel, anything that you can place between you and the victim and have them grab onto it.”

And as always, call 9-1-1.

Photo: Bruce Park pond on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. Credit: Barbara Heins.

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