To understand why this is done, one must understand freeze/thaw cycles and their effect on grass. Grass does not grow year-round in our area, so the window of opportunity to keep the grass in place is limited. During the late fall and winter seasons, when there is the potential for snowfall and rain, temperatures fluctuate, and the ground is vulnerable to damage. If we let people utilize the grass area in the winter, it will quickly lose its turf, and the park will be a mud pit and stay that way for the rest of the year. We hope that users understand that this preventative measure is necessary to keep grassy areas in the best shape possible for years to come. As a reminder, Mills River Park has 1.5 miles of multi-use trail that will remain open throughout the winter months. Off-leash dogs are not permitted anywhere else on park property.