NYC Parks Reminds New Yorkers of the Dangers of Venturing onto Ice on Ponds and Lakes

Photo: NYC Parks

As temperatures drop, NYC Parks urges New Yorkers and visitors to exercise caution while near lakes, ponds, and rivers in New York City’s parks this winter. New Yorkers are reminded to follow Parks’ ice safety guidelines and to stay off water bodies that appear frozen – as they are likely not, and venturing onto them is extremely dangerous.   

“Our parks offer wonderful opportunities to embrace winter’s beauty and breathe in the crisp seasonal air, but the colder months demand extra awareness around our bodies of water,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. “I encourage everyone to review the posted safety guidelines throughout our parks and along the water’s edge, and I urge parents and caregivers to teach young ones about staying off any water body that looks frozen and to never leave them unattended near ice.  We want New Yorkers to enjoy our parks all winter long—but safety must always come first, so please keep off the ice!” 

Read and share these important Ice Safety Tips:

• Do not attempt to walk on any lakes, ponds, or rivers that appear frozen.  

• Parents and caregivers should make sure children are never unattended near ice.  

• If you hear cracking, lie down immediately to try to distribute your weight.  

• If you witness someone falling through ice, never attempt to make a rescue by yourself: call 911 and notify the proper authorities. Be sure to give the exact location and an account of the incident.  

There are more than 150 miles of shoreline and 96 bodies of water within our park system. To remind New Yorkers of the dangers of thin ice, NYC Parks posts warning signs along the perimeter of the City’s lakes and ponds and installs special ladders for use by trained personnel in the event of an emergency.   

Ice skating rinks offer a safe and fun way to enjoy the winter weather. For ice skating in New York City parks, check out our website for a list of Parks’ rinks.