CENTRAL PARK — The impending snowstorm has put a damper on the weekend for many who were planning to go to Central Park's Winter Jam snow day on Saturday.
The city's Parks Department decided Thursday afternoon to cancel the event, citing an active blizzard watch and a citywide hazardous travel advisory.
"We are disappointed to have to announce, that out of an abundance of caution and concern for the safety of New Yorkers as we prepare for the expected blizzard, that we have canceled Winter Jam 2016," said Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver.
The event will not be rescheduled.
The Parks Department had been preparing for Winter Jam since Sunday, using snow guns to create man-made snow at the park's bandshell, near 72nd Street.
Gore Mountain ski resort staffers made the snow with water and compressed air and planned to create two acres worth of snow, or a little more than a foot, by this weekend, according to the Parks Department.
The snow guns have been running all week, Parks Department officials said.
In past Winter Jam events, the man-made snow gave visitors an opportunity to ski, snowshoe, snowboard, sled and kicksled for free.
The snowdrift coming from the machines this week captured many park-goers' attention and they took to social media to document it.
The Central Park Conservancy also Periscoped the snow fall Wednesday.
Kelly Ripa recorded the snow drifting across the green lawn Tuesday.
The NYPD Central Park Precinct, which will be at Winter Jam, also posted a photo of the snow forming.
Beginning to look a lot like #WinterJam @NYCParks Jan 23, 2016 #CentralPark #NYC pic.twitter.com/jPXf5wjOM2
— NYPD Central Park (@NYPDCentralPark) January 19, 2016
The excitement for Winter Jam is growing.
Passersby are finding it really exciting.
