By John Kiesewetter
The Cincinnati Enquirer
WEST CHESTER TWP. - Even with a fresh covering of snow, sledding will only resume this weekend on the man-made hill at Freedom's Voice Reserve Park if installation of new safety fencing is complete.
Two U-shaped rings of metal fences are being erected around the 65-foot hill to prevent sledders from using the east, west and south slopes. Several people were hurt Monday going down those three sides after sledders broke through temporary orange plastic fencing blocking those areas.
"If we get snow, and the fencing is in place, then in all likelihood, we'll have it open," said Mike Muska, Butler County MetroParks director.Muska said Thurday evening he will decide late today ) whether the hill will be open for sledding Saturday. An announcement will be on the MetroParks' phone (867-5835).
County and township authorities were surprised when an estimated 1,500 people went sledding Monday at the park.
"We didn't know so many people would converge on it that quickly. West Chester Township was surprised by it, too," Muska said.
Many who came north on Cox Road from West Chester and Mason didn't realize the park entrance is on Hamilton-Mason Road, said Erica Denner, 17, who broke three vertebrae sledding down the east slope into road construction. She didn't realize the slope was off-limits, and hurt her back going over a drop.
"It was blocked off earlier in the day, but by the time we got there at 1 p.m., the fences had been torn down and people were going down all sides," said the Lakota East senior.
Among the changes planned:
Signs will direct visitors to the park entrance at 8001 Hamilton-Mason Road, not at VOA Park Drive off Cox Road. A heavy-duty orange plastic fence will replace the thin plastic fence destroyed Monday that outlined the sledding route down the north face.
Yellow caution tape will be attached to the two U-shaped metal fences obstructing the east, west and south sides.
MetroParks will alert township authorities whenever the hill is open.
E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer.com
TOP STORIES
Plans show options for Brent Spence
Brent Spence replacement may force firms to close
Brent Spence Bridge replacement plans
Grant to clean up school bus exhaust
Sled hill may reopen soon
COLLEGE TESTS
Entry exams breed stress and profits
Test dates
Comments on test
SAT vs. ACT
IN THE TRISTATE
History events on tap at Mount St. Joseph
Mariemont students head to China
Police aim to intercept DUIs
Fairfield police academy to show job as it really is
Donated books can ease therapy
Lakota schools to relocate
Council hosts winter powwow
Wolves escape from sanctuary in western Dearborn County
Ex-election worker gets 2 1/2-year term
New tool for high-growth area used in Harrison Township
Neighborhoods to seek say
Prosecutor will help crack down on truants
Ethics panel to weigh in
Sign dispute may be settled
Neighbors briefs
Tristate briefs
ENQUIRER COLUMNISTS
DOWNS: Work out, feel great, earn millions
BONFIELD: Local pediatrician spends 7 months in Bangladesh
From the state capitals
Good Things Happening
LIVES REMEMBERED
'Dutch' Broering, 48, was St. X grad
Kevin Goemmer, the voice at horse races
Hilma H. Woodward taught crafts
KENTUCKY STORIES
Leading the way in policing
Council race lively, crowded
