Smooth skating at outdoor rinks in Naperville

It was, all things considered, the perfect day for Eric Williamson of Naperville to help his 4-year-old son, Oslo, navigate the outdoor ice rink Friday at Naperville Park District’s Nike Sports Complex.

With only one skater on the rink, there was plenty of room for the father and son to get comfortable on the ice.

“We’re taking advantage of no people,” Williamson said.

Oslo, who takes indoor skating lessons, was a little unsure of his footing on the outdoor rink and needed his dad’s help to guide him around.

Williamson says he expects the rinks to become much more crowded this weekend, as skaters take advantage of the earlier-than-usual start of the season thanks to the recent spate of unseasonably cold weather.