Winter Parks Pathway Maintenance Program and outdoor skating rinks are back this season

MARKHAM, ON – November 16, 2022 – The City of Markham’s Operations team is ready for Winter! Residents are encouraged to explore the outdoors this Winter to enjoy one of the many park pathways that are available through the Winter Parks Pathway Maintenance Program, or to visit one of the outdoor ice rinks located throughout the City.

“The City of Markham is ready for Winter,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “Whether it’s a walk on one of our trails, or skating at one of our outdoor rinks, make the best of Winter by staying active and having fun outdoors.”

The Winter Parks Pathway Maintenance Program includes a total of 25.3 kilometers of asphalt or concrete pathways City-wide. These pathways will be cleared within 24 to 48 hours following the end of a Winter event where snow reaches 5 centimetres or more. 

Five outdoor public skating rinks will be open again this season, pending weather conditions, providing a safe and accessible leisure option for residents. Rinks will be located at: Huntington Park, Victoria Square Park, Milliken Mills Park, Markham Museum, and Milne Dam Park. The City will construct and maintain these rinks and a flag system at each location will signal when the ice is safe to use. Onsite parking is available at all locations. The Markham Civic Centre outdoor refrigerated ice rink will also be back again this season. 

Please stay off Markham’s ponds, stormwater ponds and waterways as the ice is unsafe. These ponds are designed to have water flowing in and out of them all year long (from rainfall and snowmelt), making the ice unpredictable and an unsafe place to play.

Winter Maintenance in the City of Markham is a big job. Please be patient as our crews work hard to maintain and clear a network of more than 2,250 km of road and more than 1,150 km of sidewalk to keep our streets and neighbourhoods safe and moving.

Snow clearing starts with largest and busiest roads (known as arterial or primary roads), followed by secondary roads that serve schools, community centres, industrial and commercial areas, and followed by local roads and lanes in residential areas. 

The City’s East Markham Operations Yard near the Northwest corner of Ninth Line and Major Mackenzie Drive helps enhance Winter maintenance response times across the entire City.

If you do not see plows immediately after a snowfall, please be patient and check plow status using the Winter Maintenance App at markham.ca/winter.

After plowing, it’s normal for some snow to be left on the surface of roads and lanes especially on local roads. It is still safe to drive on snow-covered roads as long as you drive according to weather and road conditions.

Brine, salt and sand are used to prevent roads from becoming icy. Remember, salt is only effective at temperatures of -12 degrees Celsius and above. The City’s Salt Management Plan promotes environmentally friendly salt use, storage and transportation.

Watch short videos about our Winter Maintenance efforts and find the Winter Maintenance App at markham.ca/winter.

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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office:
At mayorscarpitti@markham.ca.

All other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham: 
Kisha Powell, Media Relations & Communications Specialist at kpowell@markham.ca.

About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with over 356,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 corporate head offices and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 234 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy.

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