Notice of July Board Meeting

The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, July 13, 2020, at 6 p.m. While in-person attendance is not permitted due to COVID-19, the meeting can be viewed via Facebook Live on the Mill Creek MetroParks Facebook page. The agenda will be available on the website after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting. A meeting of the Public Records Commission will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the same location and will be following the same protocol as the Regular Board Meeting.

Mill Creek MetroParks 2020 Parking Lot Improvements Project

Construction for the MetroParks’ 2020 Parking Lot Improvements project will begin on Monday, June 29, 2020. Improvements are being made at the following locations:

– The East Golf Hike & Bike Trail Parking Lot (West Golf Drive)

– The Flats Parking Lot

The following drives may have temporary closures over this time to accommodate construction activities:

– Valley Drive (at the Suspension Bridge)

Access to the East Golf Hike & Bike Trail and the Flats will remain open. Throughout the duration of construction, parking for these facilities will be designated at the East Golf Hike & Bike Trailhead at US-224 and Shields Road for trail access and at the Oak Grove/Idora parking lots for access to the Flats. Please avoid construction areas and exercise caution while accessing the East Golf Hike & Bike Trail and the Flats.

The parking lot improvements project is anticipated to be completed within two months. Construction dates may adjust depending on weather conditions. Any questions or concerns may be directed to the MetroParks Administration Office at 330.702.3000 or at soldham@millcreekmetroparks.org.

Notice of June Board Meeting

The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, June 8, 2020, at 6 p.m. While in-person attendance is not permitted due to COVID-19, the meeting can be viewed via Facebook Live on the Mill Creek MetroParks Facebook page. The agenda will be available on the website after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Mill Creek MetroParks to Open Baseball/Softball Fields and Tennis Courts Under Mandated Guidelines

In support of the Governor’s office, Mill Creek MetroParks will be opening the baseball/ softball fields at Wick Recreation Area and Scholl Recreation Area along with all tennis courts which are located at Wick Recreation Area, Volney Rogers Field, Scholl Recreation Area, and Yellow Creek Park beginning May 26, 2020. The mandatory and recommended best practices put forth by the Governor and the Ohio Department of Health must be followed while using Mill Creek MetroParks ball fields and tennis courts. These guidelines can be found at www.coronavirus.ohio.gov or www.millcreekmetroparks.org. At the time of this press release, playgrounds, basketball courts, and volleyball courts will remain closed per orders by the Governor’s office.

 

If interested in reserving a field or court, please visit www.millcreekmetroparks.org for a printable or online application or by calling 330.740.7114 ext. 104.

The MetroParks urges all visitors to continue following all guidelines from state and local health officials, such as staying home if sick or exhibiting symptoms, maintaining at least six feet apart from other visitors, avoiding congregating in large groups and bypass busy areas, practicing good hygiene by washing hands often and carrying hand sanitizer, as well as suggesting non-use of items such as handrails, park benches, and other areas frequently touched to help stop the spread of COVID-19. A complete list of closures, cancellations and openings can be found at www.millcreekmetroparks.org.

Construction of Wick Maintenance Facility

Construction of the Wick Recreation Area Maintenance Facility begins today, May 18, 2020.  The project is located behind the Judge Morley Performing Arts Pavilion at the Wick Recreation Area in Mill Creek Park. The project includes construction of a new maintenance building and site work to support the maintenance activities of Wick operations personnel.

Access to the project site, which includes a section of Wick Drive and the parking lot behind the Pavilion, will be closed to the public for the duration of the project. The project is anticipated to be completed within five to six months.

Mill Creek MetroParks Announces Hour Reductions and Layoffs

Mill Creek MetroParks began issuing notices of hour reductions and layoffs to affected non-union support staff on Friday, May 15, 2020. In total, sixteen (16) positions will be affected.

“As we work diligently to serve the community as a much needed, natural respite during these challenging times, it has become clear that even the MetroParks is not immune to both the operational and financial impacts of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, as a result of the negative impacts that this pandemic has had on our critically supporting revenue sources, we can no longer avoid implementing hour reductions and lay-offs of some of our dedicated employees,” said Aaron Young, Executive Director.

Various Mill Creek MetroParks outdoor locations will be remain open and available for use including Mill Creek Park, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Sebring Woods, The MetroParks Bikeway, Mill Creek Golf Course, Wick Par 3, MetroParks Farm Disc Golf Course, all Nature Preserves and Sanctuaries, and permitted lakes/ponds for fishing and boating. A complete, up to date list of closures, cancellations and openings can be found at www.millcreekmetroparks.org.

The MetroParks urges all visitors to continue following all guidelines from state and local health officials, such as staying home if sick or exhibiting symptoms, maintaining at least six feet apart from other visitors, avoiding congregating in large groups and bypass busy areas, practicing good hygiene by washing hands often and carrying hand sanitizer, as well as suggesting non-use of items such as handrails, park benches, and other areas frequently touched  to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Mill Creek MetroParks Extends Cancellations and Closures Through August

In support of the recommendations from the Governor’s Office, the Ohio Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control regarding the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus and to protect the health, safety and welfare of our employees, volunteers and visitors, Mill Creek MetroParks is extending the cancellations of all previously scheduled programs, tours, events, lectures and indoor facility rentals through August 31, 2020. In the event a registration fee or rental fee was paid, a full refund will be processed.

The following Mill Creek MetroParks locations will be closed to the public through August 31, 2020

  • MetroParks Farm Education Building and Animal Barns
  • D.D. & Velma Davis Education and Visitors Center
  • All Reservable Pavilions, Cabins & Shelters
  • Yellow Creek Lodge
  • Lanterman’s Mill
  • Administration Office
  • All Basketball Courts
  • All Playgrounds
  • All Tennis Courts
  • All Ball Fields
  • Wet Playground at Wick Recreation Area and Spray Basin at Scholl Recreation Area
  • Dek Hockey Rink – located at Wick Recreation Area
  • Lake Newport & Lake Glacier Boathouses

Various Mill Creek MetroParks outdoor locations will be remain open and available for use including Mill Creek Park, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Sebring Woods, The MetroParks Bikeway, Mill Creek Golf Course, Wick Par-3, MetroParks Farm Disc Golf Course, and All Nature Preserves and Sanctuaries.

The MetroParks urges all visitors to continue following all guidelines from state and local health officials, such as staying home if sick or exhibiting symptoms, maintaining at least six feet apart from other visitors, avoiding congregating in large groups and bypass busy areas, practicing good hygiene by washing hands often and carrying hand sanitizer, as well as suggesting non-use of items such as handrails, park benches, and other areas frequently touched  to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Notice of May Board Meeting

The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, May 11, 2020, at 6 p.m. While in-person attendance is not permitted due to COVID-19, the meeting can be viewed via Facebook Live on the Mill Creek MetroParks Facebook page. The agenda will be available on the website after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Mill Creek MetroParks to Open Roads Closed During Winter Season

Effective Friday, May 1, 2020 the following roads in Mill Creek Park will re-open to vehicular traffic:

  • High Drive, between Chestnut Hill Drive and West Cohasset Drive
  • Chestnut Hill Drive, between Canfield Road and High Drive
  • Calvary Run Drive, between Belle Vista Avenue and Milton Avenue

Always use caution when driving on MetroParks roads as many of these roads are also used by pedestrians and bicyclists. Pedestrians and bicyclists should be reminded to also use caution and be aware of vehicular traffic when on these roads. For more information about Mill Creek MetroParks, visit our website at www.millcreekmetroparks.org.

Temporary Closure for Drive Repair Project

A slope failure in Mill Creek Park has resulted in the temporary closure of a section of East Newport Drive between Kreider’s Entrance and Kiwatha Drive. For the safety of all park patrons, access to and through this construction site by pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles is strictly prohibited. This section of roadway will remain temporarily closed while the planning and construction of this extensive roadway repair project is completed.

To maintain use of and access to the East Newport Boat Launch, East Newport Drive between the Boat Launch and Kiwatha Drive has been opened to two-way vehicular traffic. For the duration of the drive repair project, vehicles are temporarily permitted to drive southbound on East Newport Drive from Kiwatha Drive to the Boat Launch. All park patrons are encouraged to be safe, patient, and adhere to the new circulation patterns in this area.

A completion date has yet to be established for the drive repair project, closures, and detours.