Outside media coverage of Mill Creek MetroParks

Hiking trail reopens following extensive upgrades

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A popular hiking trail in Youngstown has reopened following an extensive improvement project.

New features on the 1.2-mile East Cohasset Hiking Trail include new surfacing, a sandstone wall, steps and new drainage. Also, a new section of the trail was constructed near The Flats to connect the East Cohasset Trail to the East Gorge Trail.

The entire project was funded through a donation by a private donor.

East Cohasset Trail offers views of Lake Cohasset and the Suspension Bridge. It’s considered moderately difficult.

Read the original article at WKBN.

East Park Hike and Bike Trail extension at Mill Creek officially open

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Work on a trail extension at Mill Creek Park has been completed, and is officially open for use.

The park announced that the new East Park Hike and Bike Trail – Phase II is open for use by pedestrians and bicyclists.

The 1,700 foot asphalt trail extends the existing trail from Lanterman’s Mill at Canfield Road around the perimeter of the historic Idora Park property to the East Cohasset Hike and Bike Trail.

Construction of this section of trail completes an off-road network of pedestrian and bicycle trails stretching through Mill Creek Park from Boardman-Canfield Road to Old Furnace Road.

Facilities such as Ford Nature Center, Lanterman’s Mill, East Newport Boat Launch and East Golf Hike & Bike Trail are now connected through this network of trails.

The project reflects the MetroParks’ objectives of enhancing trail opportunities and funding new projects with third party dollars as 80% of the project funding was awarded through a Transportation Alternatives Program grant.

The grant program from the Federal Highway Administration and Ohio Department of Transportation is administered locally by Eastgate Regional Council of Governments.

Read the original article at WFMJ.

Historical Society announces 2023 Historic Preservation Awards

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The Mahoning Valley Historical Society has announced its 2023 Historic Preservation Awards.

They’ll be presented Tuesday evening during a ceremony at Youngstown’s Tyler History Center.

The Commercial Revitalization Award goes to Penguin City Brewing Company.

The Community Revitalization Awards go to the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation for the renovation of an apartment building on Glenwood Avenue and the Stambaugh Auditorium Association for the preservation of its monumental steps. The award also goes to Mill Creek MetroParks for restoring the Ford Nature Center and the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County for the restoration of the Wick Avenue building.

 

Read the original article at WKBN.

Boardman Subaru helps ‘Keep Mill Creek Green’

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A local car dealership made a big donation to Mill Creek MetroParks Friday in the name of staying green.

Boardman Subaru owner Rob Fellman presented the $5,000 check as part of the “Subaru Loves Earth” initiative to plant a tree for every vehicle sold during the month of April. Twenty-five dollars were donated for each vehicle sold in April, up to 5,000, for The Mill Creek MetroParks’ “Keep Mill Creek Green” program.

“‘Subaru Loves The Earth’ is part of a bigger initiative called the ‘Subaru Love Promise,’” said Fellman. “We support many causes throughout the year and April was ‘Subaru Loves Earth’ Month. We’re an eco-friendly dealer. We try to observe and keep our footprint as low as we can and love the Earth.”

“It’s a good fit with my connection and my company’s connection to Mill Creek Park,” said Fellman. “I’ve lived here most of my life. I’ve used this park — every bit of it. I am proud to be partnered up with them.”

The check was presented at the newly redeveloped Ford Nature Center on Old Furnace Road, which just reopened a few weeks ago.

“The $5,000 donation, as it did last year, will go toward planting trees in our Collier Nature Preserve,” said Chris Litton, director of Development with Mill Creek MetroParks.

The “Keep Mill Creek Green” program will now plant a tree for every $25 donated.

Mill Creek MetroParks Collier Reserve is on Western Reserve Road in Boardman and consists of over 300 acres of upland and wetland habitats.

Read the original article at WKBN.

Mill Creek Gets $5K from Boardman Subaru to Stay Green

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Boardman Subaru on Friday presented a $5,000 check to Mill Creek MetroParks at the newly opened Ford Nature Center for reforestation efforts.

The donation came from a larger endeavor called the Subaru Love Promise. April was designated as Subaru Loves the Earth, and dealerships were able to pick an initiative that would work toward reducing waste, safeguarding resources and preserving natural spaces.

Boardman Subaru and Mill Creek MetroParks created the Keep Mill Creek Green program, which is dedicated to planting a tree for every $25 donated. Boardman Subaru donated $25 for every car sold during the month of April – a total of about 200 cars sold.

“We feel it’s a good fit for us, especially with my connection and our company’s connection to Mill Creek Park,” said Rob Fellman, owner of Boardman Subaru. “I’ve lived here most of my life. I’ve used this park … and I’m just proud to be partnered up with them.”

This is the second year of the partnership between the dealership and the park – resulting in $8,500 donated. Aaron Young, executive director of Mill Creek MetroParks, said the program is still relatively new but the park hopes to create more partnerships to keep up reforestation efforts.

“As you know – Father Time. Trees live and trees die. This helps us keep the park green and plant more trees,” Young said. “We’re anxious to continue [Boardman Subaru’s partnership] and get more companies involved.”

This year’s donation will be used to plant 100 new trees at Mill Creek’s Collier Preserve, which is located on Western Reserve Road.

The park and the dealership are partnered with Youngstown State University ecology students, who pick trees that are native to the area and will survive best. The students then assist in planting the trees.

Boardman Subaru has been designated as a Certified Eco-Friendly Retailer since 2016. The dealership is also partnered with TerraCycle, a company that collects and recycles items that are difficult to recycle.

“We try to observe and keep our footprint as low as we can because we love the Earth,” Fellman said.

Read the original article at The Business Journal.

Mill Creek MetroParks opens Springfield Forest Property

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Nestled between stunning natural landscapes is where visitors will find Springfield Township’s first Mill creek MetroParks facility.

Park officials say visitors will now have access to an enchanted forest with waterfront views.

” There were no direct opportunities within Springfield Township that were either owned or managed by the MetroParks, so when this opportunity came up, we sprang,” Aaron Young, executive director of Mill Creek MetroParks said.

The property sits on 88.38 acres of land which was acquired by park directors in 2021 through local partnerships with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, The Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, and the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation.

Park directors say the new forest property will serve as a haven for nature enthusiasts.

“We have hiking trails for all abilities. We have a fishing pier, picnic area and some neat restoration areas that highlight the native vegetation of Northeast Ohio,” Justin Rogers, director of planning and operations of Mill Creek MetroParks told 21 News.

Directors are hoping to add more hiking trails and expand the picnic area sometime in the future.

Read the original article at WFMJ.

Mill Creek MetroParks opens new local location

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People who live in Springfield Township have a new place to experience nature.

Just in time for the holiday weekend, the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation opened a forest property.

The 88-acre site offers hiking trails, a boardwalk, a fishing pier and views of the water.

It’s on Springfield Road just north of the I-76 bridge. This is the first Mill Creek MetroParks area in Springfield Township.

“Parks in general are obviously a benefit to the community. They improve quality of life, getting people out to appreciate natural features,” said Justin Rogers of the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation.

The Clean Ohio Conservation Fund and the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation paid for the improvements to the property.

Read the original article at WKBN.

Mill Creek Metro Parks opens new local location

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People who live in Springfield Township have a new place to experience nature.

Just in time for the holiday weekend, Mill Creek Metro Parks Foundation opened a forest property.

The 88 acre site offers hiking trails, a board walk, fishing pier and views of the water.

It’s on Springfield road just north of the I-76 bridge. This is the first Mill Creek Metroparks area in Springfield Township.

“Parks in general are obviously a benefit to the community they improve quality of life getting people out to appreciate natural features,” said Justin Rogers of the Mill Creek Park Foundation.

The Clean Ohio Conservation Fund and the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation paid for the improvements to the property.

Read the original article at WKBN.

Ribbon cutting to mark official opening of forest

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A ribbon cutting is set for the end of May marking the official opening of Springfield Forest.

The forest is located on Springfield Road, and the event will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 26.

Improvements were focused on increased access, providing passive recreation opportunities and conducting ecological restoration on the property. Features of Springfield Forest include a new entry drive and 16-car parking lot, aggregate and primitive hiking trails, a fishing pier and boardwalk, scenic vistas, facility signage, a picnic area and 20 acres of ecological restoration.

The 88.38-acre property was acquired in 2021 through a collaborative partnership with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, The Clean Ohio Conservation Fund and the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation.

Funding for property improvements to Springfield Forest was secured through a second, successful Clean Ohio Conservation Fund application with additional financial support provided by the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation and in-kind contributions from Mill Creek MetroParks.

Read the original article at WKBN.

MetroParks announces death of Lanterman’s Mill manager

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Mill Creek MetroParks has announced the death of Lanterman’s Mill manager, Greg O’Neal, who on Friday suffered a severe cardiac event while working.

O’Neal was transported to a local hospital where he later died, the park system stated in a news release.

“Greg was a dedicated employee serving as the Lanterman’s Mill manager for nearly 11 years. Greg will long be remembered as a fixture of Lanterman’s Mill where his dedication and passion for the MetroParks will be greatly missed by his colleagues and visitors alike,” the park system stated.

O’Neal, 64, lived in Columbiana.

“Mill Creek MetroParks would like to thank first responders, MetroParks police, and visitors for their quick response and efforts in providing their medical assistance.”

The mill had been closed afterward but will reopen to the public on Wednesday during normal business hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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.

Read the original article at The Vindicator.