“F A I R warning for water fowl! Ducks wintering on Grenadier Pond can ignore the warning sign but you had better not.”
The Grenadier Pond Ice Monitoring Program started on Jan 1, 2019. Ice thickness is measured on a daily basis. To check the flag status, visit “Find an Outdoor Rink” on the City of Toronto website and then scroll to the very bottom of the page.
Grenadier Pond in High Park has been a recreational skating surface since the early days of Toronto but temperature changes, water currents, salt run-off and other factors can make it dangerous. For 12 weeks in winter, the City will monitor ice thickness and place a flag at the pond:
RED FLAG = Not safe
YELLOW FLAG = Use at your own risk
Tips for a successful day at Grenadier Pond:
- Check online before heading out to see if it’s safe!
- Dress warmly. It’s cold by the lakefront, especially when windy
- There is nowhere to lock up your belongings, so don’t bring anything valuable that you can’t carry on your person
- Be considerate of the environment. Please stay within the designated area.
Photo source: Toronto Star Archives
