Jewels of Winter: Orchid Exhibit Begins February 2

Mill Creek MetroParks will be open the exhibit Jewels of Winter: Orchids at the D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center on February 2 and run it through March 13.

Orchids are the jewels of the plant world, full of color, let them dazzle you with their brilliance and splendor. During the heart of winter, find the spirit of the tropics at the Davis Visitor Center as you observe these exotic beauties on display. Bring your camera, as there will be plenty of amazing flowers to photograph. Classes on orchid care are available, see the MetroParks website for additional information.

Hours to visit the exhibit and the Davis Visitor Center are Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For questions and more information, call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330.740.7116.

Mill Creek MetroParks Lily Pond Reopening for Public Access

Phase one improvements to Mill Creek MetroParks’ Lily Pond are complete and the Lily Pond will reopen for public access on January 22, 2016. The improvements to the Lily Pond have made the facility more accessible and enjoyable for all users. A new arrival plaza features benches, a drinking fountain and an information kiosk. Visitors will also find a boardwalk that leads from the arrival plaza to an observation deck overlooking the Lily Pond. A similar boardwalk and observation deck now provides improved access to the Frog Pond. Additional project components include a floating boardwalk, a bridge over the spillway and improvements to the easterly and northerly sections of the trail.

The second phase of improvements to the Lily Pond will begin this spring. The focus of this phase involves rehabilitation of the existing parking lot and the surrounding environment. Permeable pavers, a bioswale, and new concrete curbing will be incorporated in to the reconfigured parking lot design. A new biofiltration garden will be constructed with native wetland plants to treat storm water runoff from the site. Also, new site plantings and interpretive education signage will be installed to enhance and emphasize the prominent feature of the Lily Pond.

Substantial funding for the $344,000 project has been provided by the Hine Memorial Fund of the Youngstown Foundation and the Ohio EPA Surface Water Improvement Fund (SWIF). Additional funds for this project have been provided by the J. Ford Crandall Memorial Foundation, Thomases Family Endowment, Luau at the Lily Pond fundraising event, Youngstown State University and several private donations, which have greatly reduced the cost to the MetroParks.

For more information about this project or Mill Creek MetroParks, call 330.702.3000.

Mill Creek MetroParks Lily Pond Reopening for Public Access

Phase one improvements to Mill Creek MetroParks’ Lily Pond are complete and the Lily Pond will reopen for public access on January 22, 2016. The improvements to the Lily Pond have made the facility more accessible and enjoyable for all users. A new arrival plaza features benches, a drinking fountain and an information kiosk. Visitors will also find a boardwalk that leads from the arrival plaza to an observation deck overlooking the Lily Pond. A similar boardwalk and observation deck now provides improved access to the Frog Pond. Additional project components include a floating boardwalk, a bridge over the spillway and improvements to the easterly and northerly sections of the trail.

The second phase of improvements to the Lily Pond will begin this spring. The focus of this phase involves rehabilitation of the existing parking lot and the surrounding environment. Permeable pavers, a bioswale, and new concrete curbing will be incorporated in to the reconfigured parking lot design. A new biofiltration garden will be constructed with native wetland plants to treat storm water runoff from the site. Also, new site plantings and interpretive education signage will be installed to enhance and emphasize the prominent feature of the Lily Pond.

Substantial funding for the $344,000 project has been provided by the Hine Memorial Fund of the Youngstown Foundation and the Ohio EPA Surface Water Improvement Fund (SWIF). Additional funds for this project have been provided by the J. Ford Crandall Memorial Foundation, Thomases Family Endowment, Luau at the Lily Pond fundraising event, Youngstown State University and several private donations, which have greatly reduced the cost to the MetroParks.

For more information about this project or Mill Creek MetroParks, call 330.702.3000.

Ice Skating at the Wick Recreation Area Now Open

(Youngstown, OH) Mill Creek MetroParks (MCMP) staff determined today that the ice skating rink at Wick Recreation Area is now ready for skating. The rink that was installed over the existing sand volleyball courts is not supported by a refrigeration system making it weather dependent for operation. Due to the mild winter conditions this year, this is the first opportunity residents will have to use the outdoor skating facility.
The Wick Recreation Area is the MetroParks’ outdoor family adventure destination and this winter will be no exception as offerings to the public are increased as a result of sound planning and cost effective implementation. Besides ice skating, there will be sled riding, a fire pit and an upgraded concession stand with more options for food and beverage.

Interested skaters will need to bring their own skates and be reminded to enjoy the facility as outlined by the posted rules and regulations. There is no charge for ice skating or sled riding. For additional details on hours of operation please visit MillCreekMetroParks.org.
For questions and more information about ice skating at the James L. Wick, Jr. Recreation Area, call Mill Creek MetroParks at 330.702.3000.

Mill Creek MetroParks Seeks Public Comment for Road Resurfacing Project

(Youngstown) Mill Creek MetroParks is soliciting public comment for an upcoming improvement project. Memorial Hill Drive, the historic entrance to Mill Creek Park, stretches from Glenwood Avenue to West Glacier Drive.  The proposed rehabilitation project will improve safety and driving conditions for vehicular traffic, preserve the roadway’s original function, and restore the user experience along Memorial Hill Drive in Mill Creek Park.

 The project consists of furnishing labor, materials and equipment necessary to replace the existing asphalt roadway.  Planing of the existing asphalt concrete between curbs and installation of new asphalt concrete courses will address deteriorated driving surfaces and improve surface drainage.  The roadway will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic during construction of the project.

 The project is substantially funded through the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Park District Road Improvement Fund.

 Public comment will be received by the MetroParks through Friday, February 12, 2016.  Please submit comments to: Mill Creek MetroParks; RE: Memorial Hill Drive; P.O. Box 596; Canfield, Ohio 44406-0596 or by email to Justin@Millcreekmetroparks.org.

 The project is anticipated to commence in the summer of 2016. Please call 330-702-3000 with questions.