Mill Creek MetroParks’ Police and Recreation Departments will hold Cabin Fever Fest at Wick Recreation Area on Saturday, February 1 at noon.

Outdoor winter games, activities and sledding on Sled Hill will take place throughout the event. Inside the Warming House, the Chili Cook-Off and children’s crafts will begin at noon. The public can taste the chili and vote for Spiciest, Most Colorful, and Overall Best Chili. A snow sculpting competition will take place outside from 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Judging for the Chili Cook-Off will take place at approximately 1:30 p.m. with snow sculpture judging shortly after.

Also starting at noon inside the Warming House, the MetroParks Police Department will offer a child identification program as a free community service. Children can receive their individual ChildPrint ID Kit® with fingerprinting and other safety features to take home.

Aspiring and amateur chefs can enter the Chili Cook-Off for $10, and can find details, rules, and contest registration at www.millcreekmetroparks.org or by calling Ford Nature Center at 330.740.7107.

Admission to Cabin Fever Fest is free. Please note that outdoor activities are all weather dependent. For more information, please contact the Ford Nature Center at 330.740.7107. The Wick Recreation Area is located at the corner of Bella Vista and McCollum Road – 1861 McCollum Road, Youngstown, Ohio 44509.

Mill Creek Park Foundation will recognize honorees at Award Celebration

The Mill Creek Park Foundation will honor Nancy & Bruce Beeghly and D.D. and Velma Davis/The Davis Foundation for their dedication to Mill Creek MetroParks at the Volney Rogers Legacy Award Celebration. Mr. & Mrs. Beeghly and Mr. & Mrs. Davis will be recognized during a dinner on Friday, January 31 at the D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Mrs. & Mrs. Beeghly will be present to accept the award. D.D. & Velma Davis will be honored posthumously.

Nancy & Bruce Beeghly have been longtime supporters of Mill Creek MetroParks. Bruce Beeghly holds honorary doctoral degrees from Youngstown State University and Westminster College. He has served on public education boards for the past 25 years including the Ohio Board of Regents. Currently, Mr. Beeghly serves on the board of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley and is the Chair of the Community Leadership Council of Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley. Nancy Beeghly was an English teacher at Boardman High School and holds an honorary doctoral degree from Westminster College for community services. She later served on the College’s Board of Trustees. Mrs. Beeghly currently serves on the communications committee for the Beatitude House, and the boards of the Buechner House, YSU English Festival and Juvenile Justice Center. Nancy & Bruce have been married for 46 years and have three children.

The legacy of David Dale (D.D.) Davis and his wife Velma continues to support Fellows Riverside Gardens to this day. D.D. and Velma founded D. D. Davis Construction in 1946. One of the many projects that Davis Construction completed in the Mahoning Valley is the D. D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Not only did Mr. Davis oversee the construction but donated his time, talent, and financial resources to the project, which opened in 2000. D.D. served as Chair of the Board of the Rescue Mission and served on the boards of Band One of Youngstown and The Butler Institute of American Art. Both D.D. and Velma were active in the First Covenant Church of Boardman. Mr. Davis passed away in 2002, and Mrs. Davis in 2007. They had two daughters, one of whom is deceased, four grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Special recognition will also be given to the Juliana Kurinka Trust, Mary Alice Schaff, and Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens. PNC, Agland Country Store, MAX-FREEZE, Fred Martin Ford Mercedes Ben and Jack Weller will also be recognized for their support.

Tickets for the Volney Rogers Legacy Award Celebration are $75, proceeds to benefit the Mill Creek Park Foundation. Cocktails will be at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling Mill Creek MetroParks at 330.702.3000.

About the Volney Rogers Legacy Award

Created in 2006, this award has only been given out twice in the history of the MetroParks. It is not an annual award, but is reserved for those whose support and dedication to the mission of Mill Creek MetroParks has been significant. These individuals provide advice, funding, and assistance that goes above and beyond.

Due to the dangerously low temperatures and wind chill, Mill Creek MetroParks is officially closing Sled Hill and the Warming House at the Wick Recreation Area (on the corner of McCollum Road and Belle Vista). Sled Hill, along with the Warming House is closed Monday, January 6 and Tuesday, January 7.

Winter weather conditions are perfect to take your family to Mill Creek MetroParks’ Wick Recreation Area (intersection of Belle Vista and McCollum Rd). Sled Hill is open daily, weather permitting, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. This popular sledding hill is lighted and features an outdoor fire pit next to the Thomas J. Bresko Pavilion. Younger sled riders can use the Hobbit Hill, reserved for children 48” and under.

If you get too cold or need a break from sledding, you can visit the Snack Bar inside the Warming House for a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, cold beverage or snack. There are restrooms inside the Warming House along with a gas fireplace. The Warming House is open Monday through Friday 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9:30 p.m.

For the sledding schedule or more information, call Mill Creek MetroParks at 330.740.7114.

About Mill Creek MetroParks

Mill Creek Park was established in 1891 by Volney Rogers as the first park district in Ohio. In 1989, the diverse lands now known as Mill Creek MetroParks officially became a metropolitan park district, providing visitors of all ages the opportunity to relish “the gem” of Mahoning County. From the casual visitor to the local explorer, Mill Creek MetroParks offers a natural escape and recreational activities for the enjoyment of all ages.

The mission of Mill Creek MetroParks is to provide park, recreational, and open space facilities of regional significance. In fulfilling this mission our objectives are to be responsive to community needs; to be environmentally sound; to be adaptable; and to be economically feasible.

To explore, experience and enjoy the all-new Mill Creek MetroParks, please visit www.millcreekmetroparks.org or call 330.702.3000. Like us on Facebook at (Mill Creek MetroParks) and follow us on Twitter (@MillCreekMetro) and Instagram (millcreekmetroparks).