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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM FINDS SAFE ICE CONDITIONS AT LINCOLN WOODS, GODDARD MEMORIAL, AND WORLD WAR II STATE PARKS, BUT ICE AT MESHANTICUT STATE PARK IN CRANSTON REMAINS UNSAFE FOR SKATING According to DEM's Division of Parks and Recreation, safe ice conditions now exist in certain areas of Lincoln Woods State Park in Lincoln, World War II Memorial State Park in Woonsocket, and Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick. However, at Meshanticut State Park in Cranston, ice is still not considered safe for skating. As of yesterday, some areas of Meshanticut Lake still were not completely frozen. Ice must have a uniform thickness of at least six inches before it may be considered safe for skating by DEM. It generally takes at least five to seven days of temperatures in the low 20s before ice may become safe. Even then, the strength of the ice is determined by a number of factors such as the size and depth of a pond, presence of springs or currents, and local temperature fluctuations. Although the ice is safe, DEM strongly encourages skaters to utilize indoor skating rinks over the next several days, as temperatures fall into or below the zero range and the wind chill increases. In a news release issued today, the Rhode Island Department of Health is advising residents to avoid going outdoors unless necessary to prevent frostbite or hypothermia. Temperature and wind chill combined can damage skin or extremities in less than 15 minutes. The DOH news release, and more information on the body's reaction to extreme cold, can be found on the DOH website at www.health.ri.gov. DEM provides ice safety information for Lincoln Woods, World War II, Goddard and Meshanticut State Parks on its 24-hour Ice Information telephone line, 222-2632. The Department does not monitor ice conditions in local communities. Residents should contact their local recreation departments for skating opportunities and conditions in individual communities. DEM has an ice safety guide that can be found online at its website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Parks and Recreation" under "Programs". Developed by DEM's Ice Safety Committee, the guide has safety tips, information on ice strength, and information on what to do if a person were to fall through the ice. The first safety tip: never assume the ice is safe. Among the others: never skate alone or on an untested lake or pond; never use the ice for a shortcut; and never go out onto the ice after an animal or a toy. DEM's website also lists municipal ice skating rinks and their telephone numbers, and provides links to those with websites. -30- |
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