With Wednesday’s ice storm, ERCA is urging members of the community to refrain from using conservation areas and trails until the ice has melted.

“The weight of this ice on tree branches can cause even healthy trees to fall,” says ERCA Director of Conservation Services Kevin Money. “For safety reasons, the public should avoid conservation areas and trails until this ice has melted and staff has had the opportunity to assess and remove hazard trees.”

Once the ice has melted, if a guest does discover a downed tree that is blocking a trail, they are encouraged to contact ERCA via its ParkWatch hotline by calling 519-971-2813 or emailing parkwatch@erca.org .