Fire Officials Urge Local Residents to Stay Off the Ice [VIDEO]

Marblehead Fire Chief Jason Gilliland put it plainly Monday morning.

"We will never tell anybody that the ice is safe in Marblehead because we are dealing with spring-fed fresh water ponds," he said. "Those ponds, in my opinion, are never safe."

Despite warm temperatures, local police officers responded to several reports of residents venturing out onto the ice in town over the weekend.

• At 2:49 p.m. Saturday, police responded to Pond Street for a report of kids out on the ice. Their parents were advised that the ice was unsafe, according to the log entry.
• At 3:06 p.m. Saturday, police responded to a report of kids on the ice at Ware Pond on Marion Road. 
• At 12:56 p.m. Sunday, police reportedly located more people skating at Redds Pond on Pond Street.

Coincidentally, firefighters completed their annual ice rescue training at Redds Pond Monday afternoon. The fresh carve marks from weekend ice skaters could still be seen - some criss-crossing the much softer parts of the pond.

As Gilliland looked on, firefighters chopped a small hole in the ice and took turns being simulated victims in need of rescue.

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So where can you skate in Marblehead this winter season? Gilliland recommends the ice skating rink on Green Street.

Do you know of a better place? Let us know in the comments section below.