Sleds For Everyone. Community Shares Winter Toys

There are still a few months of sledding season in 2022, should Rockford adopt a similar policy?

Loner sleds is an excellent idea. It looks like this idea is spreading throughout the state based on the Kewanee Park District thanking the City of Galesburg Parks and Recreation for the idea.

Kids don't have to actually own their own sled to enjoy the time honored tradition of hurtling yourself down a hill with no regard for your or others safety.

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Will there be a problem with people stealing sleds from the honor box? Maybe but that shouldn't stop cities from trying to implement loner sled programs of their own.

If you make it a standard thing, people will eventually fall in line and respect the rules. At least that's what the naïve Pollyanna in me believes.

What kind of sled did you ride when you were a kid?

I personally had three. Here they are in order of least to most favorite:

3. A rusty old toboggan

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This thing was dangerous. I'm pretty sure it was my grandpa's when he was growing up. It had metal runners that could probably chop off a few fingers and splintered wood that could take an eye out. If you let you kid take this on the slopes in 2022 you'd probably be arrested. The 80s were a different time.

2. Generic straight plastic sled

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This worked but was kind of boring. Occasionally you'd start to drift sideways and you'd tumble out the side down the hill. Less exciting than the toboggan but considerably lighter and far less dangerous. This was also the best sled to do a duo run with a parent or best friend.

1. Crappy circular sled

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The only difference between the one pictured and mine is that mine was red and the handles had fallen off. It didn't matter. The circle sled was the best. Doing 720s down the hill behind Sand Park Pool in Loves Park was awesome.