The City of Ithaca is reminding residents to take precautions while visiting local parks and trails throughout the winter. Seasonal changes and cold-weather conditions can create hazards in areas such as Cass Park, Stewart Park, and neighborhood parks throughout the city.
The Ithaca Youth Bureau, which manages Cass Park and Stewart Park, said seasonal restrooms are closed for the winter. However, heated restrooms remain available at the Cass Park Ice Rink during building hours and at Stewart Park’s Wharton Studio Building during open hours.
Trails in city parks receive limited winter maintenance. The Cayuga Waterfront Trail is generally unmaintained, except for portions in Cass Park and Stewart Park as staffing and equipment allow. Visitors are advised to exercise caution on snow- or ice-covered trails and avoid using them during or immediately after storms.
Stewart Park will operate on a dawn-to-dusk schedule through winter due to increased vandalism and illegal dumping. Police will increase patrols, and standard hours are expected to resume in the spring.
City officials also warned against traveling on frozen bodies of water, including lakes, ponds, creeks, and inlets, due to unsafe and unpredictable ice conditions.
Playground and skatepark users are urged to take extra precautions. Playground surfaces may become icy or snow-covered, and frozen ground increases the risk of injury from falls. Skaters should avoid wet, icy, or brittle concrete and wear appropriate protective gear.
Winter is a vulnerable season for wildlife. Visitors are asked to keep dogs leashed, stay on designated paths, and give animals space, particularly at dawn and dusk.
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