Snow revelers create a stink at the Mill Villages rink

It hasn’t been a great year so far at the ice rink at Mill Villages Park.

Warmer weather — including a weekend with very un-January temperatures in the 70s — hasn’t made the surface quite suitable for skating. And after Saturday’s snowstorm, new wrinkle was added: despite signs pleading for people to stay off the ice, snow was pounded down into the ice by people who ignored the signs.

It looked deliberate. While the snow was mostly untouched in the park, the rink was filled with footprints throughout.

“Unfortunately, the ice rink will need to be closed for quite a while,” Grafton Recreation wrote on Facebook. “As you can see, people walked over the entire surface after the snowstorm which prevents us from being able to clear it off properly and have a skateable surface. We ask that you PLEASE follow the rules that are posted in general but especially so we are able to repair this damage and get ready for the Skate and S’more Party on February 8. Thank you.”