The Needham Park and Recreation Commission has renewed its safety campaign for use of the outdoor ice skating areas in Needham for the Winter of 2013. The Commission is asking all residents to please observe these common sense safety regulations.

Once there is a lengthy freeze, the DPW checks ice depths daily, and the website and Recorded Information Line message is updated after 3 PM when new information is available. View the information online at www.needhamma.gov/parkandrecreation, click on Fields, Parks, Trails and Playgrounds, then Outdoor Skating and Sledding.  The Recorded Information Line phone number is (781) 444-7212 Press 6.  You may also get an automatic e-mail notification via Notify Me. Just go to www.needhama.gov/parkandrecreation , select the “Notify Me” icon at the bottom left of the page and select the box for “Recreation Information”.

Ice is not checked during winter storms and clean-ups, as the DPW staff must work on snow removal on roads and tree repairs. The recommended thickness for ice skating on ponds is six inches of black ice. Rules posted on signs located at each pond must be followed.

Skating Tips

Always skate with at least one other person.  Skate only on areas with 6 or more inches of ice.  Remove loose objects from ice surface to avoid having them freeze onto the surface.  Skate in well-lit areas only. Lights are turned on at the Reservoir on weekends and school vacation nights, when there are 6 or more inches of ice and a skateable surface. Hockey players should be careful skating near young children. Hockey is not permitted at the large pond at Horsford.

Outdoor Skating Locations

HORSFORD: Central Avenue, across from RTS, at entrance to Town Forest
FARLEY: South Street, 3/10 mile from Chestnut Street intersection - on right
RESERVOIR: off Dedham Avenue, behind the Department of Public Works
WALKER-GORDON: Charles River Street, 2/10 mile from Central Avenue - on right
SPORTSMEN’S : Great Plain Avenue, between Central Avenue and Marked Tree Road
behind the brick building

ROSEMARY LAKE: Rosemary Street - enter from small parking lot near apartments
Please note: warm water streams keep Rosemary Lake from freezing quickly!