Parks and Recreation: Winter immersion 101

By Keziah Lesko-Gosselin on January 6, 2020.

Now that winter has officially settled in and the busy holiday season is over, it can be easy to retreat indoors and fall into a television coma. The Parks and Recreation Department is here to help you get some fresh air, keep active in the cold, and make the most of winter. From skating to sledding, you can glide into 2020 without turning into a hermit.

While it still gets dark quite early, many of our outdoor rinks are lit so you can skate as late as you wish. The city’s four high-board rinks are great for shinny hockey and ringette, and the five low-board rinks are perfectly suited for leisure skating. Ice conditions are weather-dependent – give the rink time to freeze if you notice it is wet or has been recently flooded. There is some undeniable magic in pond skating, and South Ridge Community and Leinweber Parks are the perfect places to do so. Parks regularly measures ice levels at these locations to assure safe conditions -watch for changing information prior to lacing up your skates.

It is essential to acknowledge our volunteers, as the rinks would not exist without them. Their commitment to the community has fostered so many happy holiday feelings, hockey games among friends, hands held under falling snow, and hot chocolates shared by parents watching their kids skate for the first time. We could not do this without their support. If you are interested in volunteering, please get in touch with Parks and Recreation at 403-529-8333.

If an adrenaline rush is more your speed, the Kin Coulee, Celebration Hill, and South Ridge Community Park toboggan hills are just for you. The Kin Coulee concession will also be open every weekend in January for snacks and warm drinks to keep you cozy.

Don’t let winter stop you from exploring on foot – City of Medicine Hat crews clear snow from more than 80 km of trails. Cross-country ski trails are also maintained in Kiwanis River Park and Police Point Park, the latter from which you can rent skis and snowshoes to boot!

If you thought curling was the ultimate Canadian sport, Parks and Recreation encourages you to try Crokicurl, the crokinole-curling hybrid. The court and rocks are located along Minto Ave near Strathcona Park.

Ultimately, everything done during warmer weather can be done in winter, too. All it takes is a few extra layers and precautions to prevent slips. From disc golf to playgrounds, Medicine Hat parks are open for fun year-round. For information on winter recreation, including indoor and outdoor skating and facility rentals, visit medicinehat.ca, or contact Parks and Recreation.

Keziah Lesko-Gosselin works with the City’s Parks and Recreation department, leading research initiatives and providing technical support for parks projects and operations.

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