Madison Parks Sledding Hills Open this Weekend

The Madison Parks winter fun begins this weekend! Madison Parks is where families go for old-fashioned fun. Sledding Hills - Dust off that old toboggan or sled, and head out to the Madison Parks sledding hills this weekend. Elver Park Warming Shelter and restrooms will be open Saturday and Sunday from 11:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. Please note, these facilities may close early due to weather or lack of patron participation. The concession stand will not be open this weekend, but will be operating starting December 18. Parks Staff reminds everyone to have fun, be safe and respect your fellow sledders. Bring your own sled, wear a helmet, keep a safe distance from others when sledding. Exit the bottom of the hill as quickly as possible. Walk up the hill using the side of the hill. And remember, the use of the sledding hill is at your own risk. Other parks with sledding hills are: Heistand Park, Garner Park, Warner Park, Berkley Park, and Olbrich Park. For more information and locations, visit www.cityofmadison.com/winter Ski Trails - Madison Parks boasts over 30 km of cross-country ski trails in 6 different park locations. Trail grooming is very dependant on the accumulation of snow and weather conditions. Because of the warm temperatures Friday, December 10, 2010, staff cannot groom any of the trails. Staff will be evaluating the winter storm event coming this weekend to see if there will be favorable conditions for grooming on Sunday. Please check the website or sign up for trail updates on the Madison Parks Winter website at: www.cityofmadison.com/winter Ski Trail Pass - now is a great time to purchase your 2011 ski trail pass! A ski pass is required to ski at Odana Hills Golf Course, Elver Park and all Dane County Park ski trails. You may purchase your annual pass at the trailhead, or on-line at www.cityofmadison.com/epayment - Ski trail passes make GREAT Holiday Gifts! Outdoor Ice Rinks - Madison Parks several locations for outdoor ice rinks. For your and your family's safety, please stay off the ice until we post that conditions are safe for skating. Staff is working daily on making the ice safe for your skating enjoyment. But at this point, the ice is still much too thin and is dangerous. With next week's predicted frigid temperatures, staff anticipates having some of the rinks up and running the weekend of December 18. Please check the website or sign up for rink updates on the Madison Parks Winter website at: www.cityofmadison.com/winter Adopt Ice Partnership - it is not too late to sign up to help with the Adopt Ice Partnership program. You can help get the ice rinks ready for skating even quicker after a snow event. Parks staff first priority after a snow event is public safety and snow removal from streets, sidewalks and parking lots. After this is complete, staff can turn their attention to the ice rinks. The Adopt Ice Partnership program helps expedite the ice conditions by removing the snow from the rinks early, allowing staff to get the ice conditions in prime condition as soon as possible. Some neighborhoods have taken their volunteer job a few steps further by having a scheduled maintenance program that not only includes snow removal, but flooding and even unlocking/locking the adjacent warming house. If you would like to learn more, please attend the next Adopt Ice Partnership meeting on: • December 13, 7:30p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 5202 Cottage Grove Road. For more information on Winter Fun in Madison Parks - visit www.cityofmadison.com/winter

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