Stay Safe - Keep off Retention Ponds this Winter

Why retention pond ice is unsafe:

• Retention ponds store rainfall and street runoff, not natural lake water.
• Melting snow mixed with road salt flows into these ponds, causing ice to melt quickly—even in cold weather.
• Salt lowers the freezing point of water, so the ice may look solid but can crack without warning.

What you should know:

• Activities like skating and hockey should never take place on retention ponds.
• Beneath the ice, water continues to flow from street drains, making conditions unstable.

Safer winter fun:

• Enjoy over 20 km of municipal trails for walking.
• Local parks offer safe spaces for skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

👉 Help spread the word: Remind kids and youth about the risks.