Hit the Ice at Mill Creek MetroParks’ Lily Pond

While most may be anxiously awaiting spring, Mother Nature’s recent cold weather has once again given Mill Creek MetroParks a unique opportunity. Over the past few weeks, the temperatures have enabled the Lily Pond to freeze, allowing Mill Creek MetroParks to provide a safe outdoor skating experience to visitors.

Mill Creek MetroParks will host supervised ice skating at the Lily Pond beginning today from 3 – 6 p.m. Hours for this weekend will be Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. If conditions allow, supervised skating will continue next weekend on Friday, February 6 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and will continue on Fridays from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., and Saturdays & Sundays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. through February 22. Unsupervised skating is permitted during normal MetroParks hours. Benches and a fire pit will be provided for the convenience of those not hitting the ice or those who need to rest or warm up. Interested skaters are asked to please bring skates as no skate rental will be available. Safety is a priority for the MetroParks so at any time that the ice is deemed unsafe for use it will be closed.

Mill Creek MetroParks begins Lake Cohasset Improvement Project

Mill Creek MetroParks will begin the Lake Cohasset Improvement Project starting today. The project includes reconstruction of the failed shoulder on West Cohasset Drive as well as shoreline cleanup around portions of Lake Cohasset. The project will last approximately 4-5 weeks. During this time, West Cohasset Drive and the East Cohasset Hiking Trail will close periodically to public access.

Cleanup of the shoreline will include removal of woody debris including fallen and/or dead limbs, branches, and trees. Lake Cohasset water levels will be periodically adjusted and continually monitored to assist with shoreline cleanup and shoulder reconstruction efforts. To further aid in the cleanup, the MetroParks has obtained an Ohio EPA Open Burn Permit to burn woody debris on site.

Mill Creek MetroParks Seeks Public Comment for Bridge Rehabilitation Project

Mill Creek MetroParks is soliciting public comment for an upcoming improvement project. Rogers Bridge and Orchard Meadow Bridge are two historic stone arch bridges located along Bear Creek in Mill Creek Park. The proposed rehabilitation project will improve the experience and safety for vehicular and non-vehicular traffic, preserve the bridges’ original function, and restore their aesthetic appeal.

The project consists of furnishing labor, materials and equipment necessary to clean, repair and tuck point stone masonry, construct retaining curbs and replace the pavement over the bridge with asphalt concrete, a waterproof paving mat, and underdrains. The bridges will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic during various construction phases of the project.

The project is substantially funded by a Federal Highway Administration Transportation Alternatives Grant.

Public comment will be received by the MetroParks for a period of thirty (30) days from this posting. Please submit comments to: Mill Creek MetroParks; RE: Slippery Rock Bridge; P.O. Box 596; Canfield, Ohio 44406-0596.

The project is anticipated to commence in the summer of 2015. Please call 330-702-3000 with questions.