With snow on the ground, more people encouraged to get their winter fix



MILWAUKEE -- For a while, it felt like December lost its identity. But lucky for us, Mother Nature is a marketing genius.

"Some people get really jazzed up by the idea of winter fun," said Caitlin Reinartz, a forester at the Urban Ecology Center.

 

Urban Ecology Center



Since Monday's snowfall, the Urban Ecology Center on Milwaukee's East Side has enjoyed a flurry of visitors.

"I enjoyed the mild December. But I like winter as long as it's not frigid," said Renee Scianni.

Scianni rented two pairs of snow shoes for the New Year's weekend.

Reinartz said people are hitting the trails and of course, the sledding hill next door. By the way, the center has sleds for rent.

Sledding at Urban Ecology Center



Sledding at Urban Ecology Center



"Yeah, snow shoes, sleds, skis -- and over at Washington Park, there are ice skates," said Reinartz.

The Pettit National Ice Center has a few of those too. The snow is encouraging people to get their winter fix any way they can.

"Absolutely. Absolutely. You stop looking at the calendar and you start looking outside at the weather and that reminds us that it's time to be skating or skiing or snowmobiling," said Randy Dean, executive director at the Pettit National Ice Center.

Pettit National Ice Center



Since the winter spirit is back, the frozen oval is a hot ticket.

"It's very busy and we'll see that line there all day," said Dean.

It's all part of a special promotion jump started by some effective outdoor advertising -- the snow.

The Pettit National Ice Center will be open on New Year's Day.

Pettit National Ice Center