OUTSIDE MEDIA COVERAGE OF MILL CREEK METROPARKS

Mill Creek MetroParks closing 2.3-mile stretch of bikeway for resurfacing

/in /by

A nearly two-and-a-half-mile-long section of the Mill Creek MetroParks Bikeway in Austintown is closed starting Monday, June 9, for resurfacing.

The closure will affect the segment from New Road to Silica Road, including the Mahoning Avenue Bridge. The project, expected to last about three weeks, depending on weather, will install a new asphalt surface.

“This highly used segment will be temporarily closed to allow for the installation of a new asphalt surface,” the park stated in a news release.

During construction, the affected section, including the Mahoning Avenue Bridge, will be completely inaccessible. Park visitors are advised to plan alternative routes or use other park trails during the closure.

Read the original article at WFMJ.

Good Morning, Mahoning County Spotlights Local Progress

/in /by

New health care and recreational initiatives were announced Thursday during the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s Good Morning, Mahoning County breakfast.

Akron Children’s Hospital unveiled plans for a mobile health clinic. Mill Creek MetroParks reported it is positioned to host the NCAA Division III cross-country championships in 2028. CoreCivic’s Northeast Ohio Correctional Center emphasized the importance of workforce reintegration for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Other presentations included an update from the Mahoning County commissioners on a county rebranding effort.

 

Read the original article at the Business Journal.

Weller Gallery Displays Exhibition

/in /by

The work of Noreen Yazvac and Elizabeth Ford is featured in a joint exhibition at the Weller Gallery.

“Through Our Eyes” primarily features nature-oriented works in watercolor, acrylic, pastel and ink. It includes flowers in bloom, landscapes and some scenes from Mill Creek MetroParks. Each artist has a distinct style, and both love color.

Both artists are past presidents and current members of the Mahoning Valley Watercolor Society and studied at Youngstown State University.

“Through Our Eyes” will be on display through July 7 at the gallery, located inside the D.D. and Velma Davis Education Center at Mill Creek Park’s Fellows Riverside Gardens, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, go to www.millcreekmetroparks.org or call 330-740-7116.

Crowd flocks to farm animal baby shower

/in /by

Despite cool temperatures and intermittent sprinkles, the parking lot filled up quickly Saturday morning for the annual Farm Animal Baby Shower at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm.

Mill Creek MetroParks educator Lynn Zocolo of Salem said the event started in 1992 as an opportunity for children to see and feed baby animals. It has expanded over the years, and now the 400-acre farm needs dozens of staff and volunteers, including from Youngstown State University, Kent State University and area high schools, to make the shower a success.

With an average attendance of 4,000 people, they now include interactive displays in the “Agventure Barn,” face painting, a tractor and wagon ride and a sheep shearing demonstration. But the baby animals remain the center of attention.

Cindy Fernback of Boardman is also an educator for the park.

“It has become a way for families to kick off the spring,” Fernback said.

She noted that she brought her own children to the event many years ago.

Besides the tradition, Fernback said it is an opportunity for urban and suburban children who are not familiar with farms to see what goes on.

“Kids don’t know where their food comes from. They get a chance to come out to a rural setting. It’s a different vibe at the farm,” Fernback said.

Farm Supervisor Brian Moff of Beloit was supplying hay for the goats and sheep. He echoed Fernback’s assessment, stating, “It is a good chance for people to see things they don’t normally see on a usual day.”

Jennifer Jackson of Youngstown was one of the volunteers. She is both a student and an employee at YSU. She said she was “looking for something different” to volunteer her time.

Among those were 6-year old Adalie Durk and 8-year old Paityn Mills, both of Salem. Durk said she likes the goats and Mills said she likes the chicks and bunnies.

Youngstown resident Alijah Posey, 5, said he was having a good time and especially enjoyed the pigs, while his 2-year old sister Alona thought the cow was best, and for 4-year old Aaliyah it’s all about the “quack-quack.”

Fernback pointed out the MetroParks Farm is open throughout the year, and when parents are trying to entertain their restless children, they can bring them to see the barns, participate in catch and release fishing, and learn how to care for a garden in the Ready, Set, GROW program. Fernback said, “Kids who would never touch a piece of broccoli all of a sudden want to eat it when they see it growing.”

Salem resident Samantha Corral has been attending the baby shower for 10 years. She said simply, “The kids enjoy it. It brings joy to everybody. Farm life is such a beautiful thing.”

 

Read the original article at The Vindicator.

Ghost hunters explore Mill Creek Park’s Pioneer Pavilion after hours

/in /by

Ghost hunters took over Mill Creek Park after hours on Saturday, searching for paranormal activity in the park.

A group of 15 people joined park staff and the Collective Paranormal Research Society at Pioneer Pavilion. The park started the investigations in 2021 and later brought in the society.

The pavilion was built in 1821 and has served several functions throughout its life, including a cow barn and a wool mill. The park chose spots to investigate based on their history.

“Volney Rogers, the founder of Mill Creek Park — he saw the potential in this building, even though it was very dilapidated. So, the park purchased this building in 1892. Between the woolen mill, the furnace, the cow barn and the creek right here, there’s a lot of energy here and a lot of stories to tell,” said Lynn Zocolo, an educator at Mill Creek MetroParks.

The investigations happen once a month and require pre-registration.

 

Read the original article at WKBN.

MetroParks Farm hosts Farm Animal Baby Shower

/in /by

Visitors will get to meet the farm’s newest arrivals, including goats, piglets, calves, chicks and ducklings. Those attending also will have the opportunity to see mother animals who are still expecting. A sheep shearing demonstration runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The shower takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield. Admission is free, but there is a fee (cash only) for tractor wagon rides and ice cream cones filled with feed for the animals.

Mill Creek MetroParks event merchandise, food and beverages will be available for purchase. There is free on-site parking with additional parking across the street at the Canfield Fairgrounds.

The barns at the MetroParks Farm currently are open for the season from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Extended hours until 5 p.m. will start in June and run through October. For more information, go to www.millcreekmetroparks.org.

 

Read the original article at The Vindicator.

Earth Day tradition bringing new trees to Mill Creek MetroParks

/in /by

When driving through Mill Creek MetroParks, you may notice white tubes sticking out of the ground. Inside each tube is a growing tree, which was planted for Earth day.

Around 25 volunteers First Energy helped plant 400 donated trees. There were a variety of trees and shrubs planted, including american holly, maple, red buds and lowering dogwood.

“This was a continuation of a partnership that we’ve had with first energy for 5 years now,” said Nick Derico, natural resources manager for Mill Creek MetroParks. “[This is the] first time we actually got to plant in Mill Creek Park proper. Just because we’ve been working on this naturalization of the Bears Den Meadow.”

In that timespan, over 1,500 trees were planted in Mill Creek MetroParks, and over 5,000 trees were planted across the valley. This includes the Collier Preserve, Youngstown State Legacy Forest and the Metroparks Farm in Canfield.

“Part of that initiative started with partnering with the Mill Creek Metroparks to plant trees in areas that needed fresh trees due to deforestation, and loss of trees over the years due to storms, or just getting cut down,” said Lauren Siburkis, spokesperson for First Energy.

The tubes around the trees protect the trees from wildlife, promote growth by attracting heat and serve as markers for park crews.

The tubes will remain around the growing trees for around five years. Derico said without the tubes, the trees would likely be gone within days.

“They protect the tree from browsing from herbivores like deer, rabbits, things of that sort. You know, inside here, the trees are really small. They’re only 12 to 18 inches so they’re going to need some protection, some time to grow,” said Derico. “In high numbers, deer can affect forest generation and we are seeing that a lot throughout the Metroparks. So, these are all native species that would be pretty preferable to deer.”

Mill Creek MetroParks was established over 100 years ago, making some of the trees over a century old. This has also led to a need for new trees.

“We do have a very mature canopy with not a lot of regeneration coming up behind it. And so, anything that we can do to help that along is a good thing,” said Derico.

First Energy planted over 100,000 trees within its six state service area. In the valley, volunteers are also planting pollinators in downtown Youngstown, and helping clean waterways in other communities.

“Electricity is the lifeblood of our communities, but trees play a crucial role in a healthy environment. So, our employees are donating their time to plant these trees that are donated by First Energy because we aren’t just employees that live in these communities, we are also residents,” said Sibirkus.

 

Read the original article at WFMJ.

Ohio grants $651K for conservation projects in Braceville, Beaver Townships

/in /by

The Ohio Public Works Commission has awarded nearly $651,000 in grants to Trumbull and Mahoning counties for conservation projects through its Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program, the agency announced on Tuesday.

Dedicated to environmental conservation through land acquisition and the protection and enhancement of rivers and streams, grant recipients commit to maintaining the properties for future generations. Projects are reviewed by regional natural resource assistance councils.

The Trumbull County MetroParks received $500,787 for the Braceville Nature Preserve Extension in Braceville Township. The funding will allow MetroParks to acquire 74 acres of undeveloped land nestled between State Route 5 and the Mahoning River.

The property, located within the Chocolate Run-Mahoning River and Mahoning River watersheds, includes high-quality forest, wetland, and floodplain habitat, featuring eight wetlands and 6,000 feet of frontage along the Mahoning River. MetroParks plans to manage the area as a nature preserve with public access, expanding the existing Braceville Nature Preserve.

In Mahoning County, Mill Creek MetroParks was awarded $150,000 for improvements to the Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, located at 2650 West Calla Road in Beaver Township. The funding will support enhancements to a previously funded Clean Ohio project.

The planned improvements include the installation of an aggregate parking lot, trail upgrades, demolition of existing structures, the creation of an outdoor education space, and ecological restoration efforts such as invasive species management and native prairie restoration.

The Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program aims to preserve natural areas and protect water resources across the state.  Statewide, 28 projects in 23 counties received funding in March.

 

Read the original article at WFMJ.