The recent winter snowstorm, which dumped 11 inches of snow over this past weekend, has opened up opportunities for more winter sports in Iowa City.

According to a release from the city, the snow has created ideal conditions for a pilot program related to winter sports such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Eight local parks — Benton Hill Park, City Park, Hunter’s Run, Peninsula Park, Sycamore Greenspace, Waterworks Prairie Park, Willow Creek Park, and Windsor Ridge Park — now have trails that can be used for winter recreation.

According to the Iowa City website, the program was started to increase opportunities for recreation as well as reducing park-maintenance costs.

The same release said Iowa City’s skating rinks at City Park and Terry Trueblood Recreation Area are not safe for skating and are still closed.

City workers are attempting to have the areas prepped for reopening, but a date has not yet been named.

— by Nick Moffitt