Lack of insurance will keep sledding hill closed

Kids looking to go sledding in the Decorah area this winter will have to find a different location than the area near Will Baker Park.

The city's Parks & Recreation Department cleared and seeded an area of the hill to the northwest of Will Baker Park along Pulpit Rock Road.  But when the city checked with its insurance carrier, the company would not provide insurance coverage for the sledding hill.

A statement released by the City stated:

"The City has renewed its property and casualty insurance with Continental Western through A & J Petersburg Agency.  The renewal provided the best coverage and limits at the most affordable rates.  The city compared rates with other providers, as is the practice approximately every three years.

"The insurance provider is not providing specific and separate coverage for the area near Will Baker Park for sledding.  It should be noted that this area will be posted 'no sledding' and will not be maintained as a sledding hil at the (insurance) carrier's request."