FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO):  Leaders with the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department are urging residents to stay off the ice at Lakeside, Swinney and Reservoir ponds because the ice is not safe.

“We’ve had reports of citizens going out on the ponds with shovels and clearing areas so they can skate,” said Al Moll, Director of Parks & Recreation. “We have the red lights and flags displayed for a reason. The ice is extremely dangerous. Please don’t put yourself at risk.”

Moll says although the surface may appear sturdy, the large amount of snow we received this month insulated the ponds and is keeping them from forming solid ice. Instead, there are layers of snow ice in the ponds. Snow ice is weak and dangerous.