Winter Sports

• Ice Skating & Ice Fishing Criteria for Designated City Lakes
• Ice Skating Safety Tips
• Ice Fishing Safety Tips
• Sledding Safety Tips

Swimming

• Swimming Safety Tips

Walking/Biking/Jogging

• Walking/Jogging Safety Tips
• Bicycle Safety Tips
• Trail Etiquette, Rules and Regulations

Park Ranger on bicycle patrol

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Walk/jog confidently.
• Look people in the eye as you pass them. This lets others know you are aware of their presence.
• Don't wear headphones while exercising. Being able to hear your surroundings will allow you to notice someone you don't see.
• Wear shoes and clothing that allow freedom of movement.
• Carry a cell phone or enough change for a phone call in case of emergency.
• Carry a whistle with you.
• Walk or jog in a familiar area. Avoid secluded areas where there are places to hide.
• Vary the route you take. Do not take the same route every day.
• Walk or jog with a companion, especially at night.
• Wear bright colored clothing so that you can easily be seen.
• Walk or jog facing traffic.
• Lock your vehicle. Don't leave valuables, such as purses/wallets/cell phones, visible inside.
• Let someone know when you begin your walk or jog. Tell them the route you will be taking and when you plan to return. Inform them when you do return.

• Wear proper safety equipment (i.e., helmet). See City Ordinance regarding bicycle helmets.
• See and be seen, wear highly visible clothing.
• Avoid bicycling at night. If you ride at night, wear reflective clothing and have a headlight and taillight.
• Stay alert. Expect the unexpected.
• Exercise caution and constantly be aware of the traffic around you.
• Obey all traffic laws and/or trail rules.
• Make sure your bicycle is in good working condition.

• Cyclists ride single file to the far right, at a speed that is reasonable and prudent. Exercise due care and sound warning when passing others. Cyclists are required by City Ordinance to wear a protective helmet.
• Pedestrians proceed no more than two side-by-side and remain on the far right side.
• Dogs and other pets must be kept on a leash and reined into within four feet when approaching another person. Remove defecation and properly dispose. See Dog Confinement in Park Rules and Regulations.
• Users are not to disturb or remove any plants, animals, or other property.
• No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail.
• Prohibited activities include: camping, trapping, horseback riding, hunting and advertising.
• Use authorized trails. Respect closures. Minimize trail erosion by avoiding muddy trails and shortcuts.
• Don't litter. Pack out what you pack in.

See Park Rules and Regulations regarding City Trails.

The following are general guidelines. Columbia's pools and beaches have specific rules and regulations that are posted at each facility.

• Only swim in designated swimming areas.
• Be aware of local weather forecasts and conditions.
• Make sure the water is warm enough. Children and older adults get cold faster and are subject to hypothermia at a faster rate.
• Use only U.S. Coast Guard approved lifesaving devices such as horseshoe vests and ski jackets.
• Do not rely upon inflatable devises such as "water wings" or "floaties," balls or vests as lifesaving devices.
• Do not assume because a child has had swimming lessons he/she is safe in the water. Do not leave children unsupervised.
• Watch for physical conditions like too cold, too tired, too much sun, and too much strenuous activity.
• Watch for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Do not consume alcohol while swimming or swim after drinking.
• Drink plenty of water and limit your time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Click here for locations of swimming facilities.

When conditions allow, Stephens Lake will be opened for ice skating and Cosmo-Bethel Lake will be open for ice fishing.  Stephens Lake Park is located on the corner of Broadway and Old 63 and Cosmo- Bethel Park is located at 4500 Bethel Street.  

(For updates on ice conditions, see "Announcements" on the Parks and Recreation home page.)

Before the City allows skating or ice fishing, there must be a minimum of four inches of solid ice before any public announcement is made. Ice depth is checked by drilling holes through the ice at several locations beginning from the shoreline and working toward the center. The ice is not checked on the weekends, holidays or evenings, so users should be aware that ice that was determined safe one day, may not be safe the next. Please refer to signs at the lake to find out when it is open for skating.

Many factors affect ice quality. Ice is subject to variable freezing temperatures from above, and yet subject to constant thawing temperatures from below due to water temperatures in the 40-degree Fahrenheit range. Wind-whipped water, areas where there is any water movement due to either overland runoff or underground springs, and shaded or sunny areas, all lead to freezing and thawing conditions. Snow is another contributing problem, as snow cover acts as an insulator and ice may actually begin to melt despite freezing temperatures.

Remember that even when Stephens or Cosmo-Bethel Lake is determined to meet the criteria for skating or fishing, never do these activities alone and do not gather in large groups on one spot. Do not be on the ice after dark, and please warn other users of dangerous conditions. It is a good idea to have a rope, ladder, or pole available, which could be extended to a victim in an emergency. Hypothermia, the rapid cooling of a person's body, can result in death. When it comes to ice, please remember one rule....there is no such thing as safe ice!

When Stephens or Cosmo-Bethel Lake is determined to meet the criteria for skating or fishing, the following signs will be posted at each lake  - See "Ice Skating Tips - Stephens Lake Park " and "Ice Fishing Tips - Cosmo-Bethel Park " below.

See also - Cosmo-Bethel Winter Trout Fishing Program

See also - Winter Sports at Stephens Lake Park

Columbia's sled hill is located at Stephens Lake Park, 2001 East Broadway. The sled hill is open when there is a minimum of 4-6" of snow cover.

• Inspect the sledding course for hazards. Trees, fences, rocks and telephone poles may cause injuries. Hay or straw bales might not always protect you from injuries.
• Make sure that the bottom of the hill is long enough for the sled to stop safely.
• Select age-appropriate sized hills, avoiding steep inclines for small children.
• Never sled near traffic, roads, parking lots, rivers or bodies of water.
• Never sled alone. Small children should always be accompanied by an adult.
• Insist that children wear bicycle helmets when sledding.
• Use the proper equipment. Do not use sheets of metal, pieces of wood, etc., for sleds.
• Use the equipment properly. Don't stand or put more people on the sled than what it was designed for.
• If an adult rides on a sled with a child, the adult should sit with the child seated snugly in front, between the adult's legs.
• Avoid sledding over snow bumps or anything that may cause the sled to become airborne.
• Only sled during daylight hours.
• Do not sled on icy hills. Sledding hills should be only snow covered.
• Stay alert, keep your eyes open and use common sense.
• When going back up the hill, walk to the side of it, away from oncoming sleds.
• Dress appropriately.