DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Part of the fun of sledding is the risk that comes with flying down a steep hill.
But that risk leaves cities open to potential bills from sledding injuries, and some have opted to close hills rather than risk large liability claims.
No one tracks how many cities have banned or limited sledding, but the list grows every year. One of the latest is in Dubuque, Iowa, where officials are moving ahead with a plan to ban sledding in all but two of its 50 parks.
Parks manager Marie Ware says Dubuque is hilly and the risk is too prevalent.
In meetings leading up to the ban, City Council members lamented the move but say it's the only responsible choice given liability concerns and demands from Dubuque's insurance carrier.
