Sledding banned at Mooney's Bay

People are no longer allowed to toboggan down the big hill at Mooney's Bay due to crowds gathering there, the City of Ottawa announced on the eve of acold but sunny weekend.

"It has been the scene of consistent large crowds, numbering in the hundreds, over the past two weeks," the city said in a news release Friday afternoon.

The city saidthose gatherings are breaking public health rules, which capped access tosledding hillsand outdoor rinks to 25 people earlier this month. That 25-person rule applies to both the top and bottom of hills.

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Starting Friday, the city says it will increase patrols to make sure no one is sledding down the hill. The Mooney's Bay parking lot, where the 25-person limit also applies, will now be limited to those who are cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in the park.

Councillor disagrees with ban

In a tweet Friday afternoon, River Ward Coun. Riley Brockingtondisagreedwith the city's approach.

"While I acknowledge Mooney's Bay hill has been a popular destination for families this winter [and] many guests have failed to adhere to capacity caps, closing one of the limited outdoor amenities available to the public, for tobogganing, is not the way to go," he tweeted. "We can safely do this."

The bancomes nearly two weeks into the province's stay-at-home order, which requires people to avoid venturing out except for essential reasons likebuying groceries or exercising.

"Physical activity is essential to people's overall health," states the news release. "The province's stay-at-home order encourages people to stay close to their home at their nearest trails and neighbourhood rinks to stay active and have fun outdoors."

The National Capital Commission announced Friday that theRideau Canal Skateway will open next week.