ADVERTISEMENT

    You Can Still Sled in Columbus (Mostly)

    Take warning, citizens, for the death of sledding is upon us. That’s according to several national news stories chronicling a series of restrictions and bans issued by city councils against sledding in public parks. The restrictions are the local government response to the liability concerns associated with sledding; the fear that people injured while sledding may decide to sue the city. The Washington Post Wonkblog blames the “American love of lawsuits” for this war on winter, while the conservative Daily Caller believes this is a sure sign of the encroaching “nanny state.”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Many of these stories cite a 2010 study conducted by Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Center for Injury Research, which found that between 1997 and 2007 more than 229,000 children under the age of 19 were treated in US emergency rooms for sledding injuries. On average, more than 20,000 adolescents are injured while sledding every year.

    But there are a number of other factors to consider. Like most things, sledding safety is all about location. While the study found “the majority of injuries occurred at a place of sports or recreation (52 percent) or on private property (31 percent),” sledding on a street or highway is more likely to send you to the hospital with a severe injury. One of the most dangerous sledding-related activities the study uncovered was the practice of using a motor vehicle to pull someone in a sled, a far cry the gravity-driven sledding most children take part in.

    Sledding is still allowed in Columbus, but with some minor regulations. The rules and regulations for Franklin County Metro Parks states that “sledding, ice skating, and other winter sports activities shall be permitted only in designated areas and subject to posted operational policies.” The only sledding-related ordinance to be found in the Columbus City Code makes it a minor misdemeanor to pull a sled (or bicycle, coaster, roller skates or toy vehicle) behind a vehicle driving on a roadway.

    So while you are safe to sled here, just make sure you’re sledding safely.

    For ongoing discussion on this topic, CLICK HERE to visit our Messageboard. 

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Subscribe

    More to Explore:

    The Confluence Cast: Grave Matters – Unearthing the North Graveyard

    There is often a complex interplay between preservation and progress. A year into his exploration, Columbus Underground reporter Jesse Bethea continues to sift through the story of how the removal of remains from what was once the North Market parking lot unfolded. From the contentious removal of centuries-old graves to the forensic analysis of unearthed remains, today’s episode navigates the ethical, legal, and emotional complexities surrounding the issue.  In the quest to honor the past while embracing the future, we examine what lies beneath the surface of urban development and confront the ghosts of history that still shape our city today.

    Kayaking Columbus: Treat Cold Water With Respect

    Welcome to Kayaking Columbus, a recurring column by CU freelance...

    Green Columbus, American Forests Release Tree Equity Tool

    By any metric, the tree cover over Columbus is...

    Kayaking Columbus: A Prairie Oaks Companion

    Welcome to Kayaking Columbus, a recurring column by CU...

    City Passes Stronger Tree Protections

    Columbus City Council voted unanimously on December 11 to...
    Jesse Bethea
    Jesse Betheahttps://columbusunderground.com
    Jesse Bethea is a freelance features writer at Columbus Underground covering neighborhood issues, economics, science, technology and other topics. He is a graduate from Ohio University, a native of Fairfax, Virginia and a fan of movies, politics and baseball. Jesse is the winner of The Great Novel Contest and the author of Fellow Travellers, available now at all major retailers.
    ADVERTISEMENT