Mill Creek MetroParks board approves 2018 budget

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The 2018 Mill Creek MetroParks budget the park board approved this week was made with operational efficiency in mind, MetroParks Executive Director Aaron Young said.

“For 2018, our main priority is making sure that the MetroParks’ operating budget reflects our commitment to being efficient stewards of taxpayer dollars, and I think this budget does exactly that,” he said.

The board approved a budget featuring just under $11.8 million in general-fund appropriations. Last year, the budget included $12.4 million in general-fund appropriations.

Total appropriations for this year, including just under $4.7 million from the park’s replacement reserve fund and $10,000 from a law-enforcement assistance fund, are $16.4 million.

Also reduced in this year’s budget are employee wages and salaries. The MetroParks budgeted about $6 million for wages and salaries this year, compared with about $6.3 million in the 2016 budget and $6.2 million in the 2017 budget.

“Salaries and wages were reduced by 3 percent as compared to 2017. That’s even after a two percent board-approved increase for all employees,” Young said, referring to raises granted in 2016.

Young said that was achieved by measures such as keeping a closer eye on employees’ hours.

He said the MetroParks also sought to trim spending in other areas, such as reducing the vehicle fleet from more than 80 in 2015 to about 63 today.

“We are continuing to evaluate everything from our fleet to our equipment to salaries and wages,” he said.

On the revenue side, the 2018 general-fund budget is similar to last year’s, with just under $7.8 million in general property tax revenue and total general-fund revenue of just under $10.3 million, not taking into account carry-over funds.

Another focus of the 2018 budget is capital improvements. An additional 0.25-mill for capital improvements, which the park began receiving last year after voters approved it in 2015, brings in slightly more than $1 million per year for the 15-year levy cycle. The park has pledged to invest $29 million in capital improvements over that period.

“We’re looking to spend nearly $5.8 million on capital improvements [this year],” Young said, noting a significant portion of that amount will be funded by third-party dollars such as grants and donations.

For example, on the MetroParks’ project list this year is right-of-way acquisition, design and engineering, and construction of the final phase of the MetroParks Bikeway. Much of that project is covered by grant money, including 80 percent of the estimated $3.5 million construction cost.

Also budgeted this year are annual improvements such as parking lot and trail maintenance; completion of a project to restore the wheel at Lanterman’s Mill; and improvements at numerous sites including the Lake Newport boat launch, Fellows Riverside Gardens, the north golf course, Scholl and Wick recreation areas, Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary and others.

“We have a lot of projects that should, and hopefully will, provide park visitors with the level of excitement we’ve been talking about for some time now,” Young said.

“We’re pleased with where we’re headed,” he added. “It’s an exciting time for the MetroParks.”

View the full article at vindy.com

Mill Creek MetroParks improvement project announced

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Mill Creek MetroParks is asking for public comment for an upcoming improvement project. 

A rehabilitation project was proposed to resurface 1.53 miles of existing asphalt concrete.on the southern section of West Newport Dr. from Sheban Dr. to Hampton Dr. 

West Newport Dr. is located in the Historic District of Mill Creek Park, stretching from Sheban Drive to Canfield Road (Route 62). 

Additional improvements include the restoration of aggregate roadway shoulders and the reapplication of pavement markings. 
 
The transportation improvement is scheduled for construction in the summer of 2018. 

The estimated construction cost is about $289,190 with $126,933 being funded through ODOT’s Park District Road Improvement Fund.  

During project construction, West Newport Dr. will remain open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic at all times, but will be closed to all vehicular traffic from Sheban Dr. to Hampton Dr.  

A detour route will be provided. 

Construction, lane restriction, roadway closure and detour information will be posted along West Newport Dr. and on the Mill Creek MetroParks website before the construction begins.  

Parking lots for the Newport Wetlands and the West Newport Drive Picnic Area will be closed to vehicular traffic.

However, these facilities will remain open and will be accessible to pedestrians and bicyclists at all times during project construction. 
 
To ensure the proposed project is viable and successful, Mill Creek Metro Parks is seeking comments from the public about the social, environmental, and economic impacts of this proposed project. 

Environmental impacts include those involving archeological, architectural and ecological resources, regulated materials and the general location of the project. 

Any comments you may have regarding the environmental and/or the proposed project may be submitted by February 9, 2018.

View the full article at wfmj.com

West Newport Drive Improvement Project Planned for Mill Creek Park (PID: 107043)

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Mill Creek MetroParks is soliciting public comment for an upcoming improvement project. West Newport Drive, a roadway located in the Historic District of Mill Creek Park, stretches from Sheban Drive to Canfield Road (Route 62). The proposed rehabilitation project will occur on the southern section of this roadway from Sheban Drive to Hampton Drive and involves the resurfacing of 1.53 miles of existing asphalt concrete. Additional improvements include the restoration of aggregate roadway shoulders and the reapplication of pavement markings. 

The transportation improvement is scheduled for construction in the summer of 2018. The estimated construction cost is approximately $289,190 with $126,933 being funded through ODOT’s Park District Road Improvement Fund.  During project construction, West Newport Drive will remain open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic at all times, but will be closed to all vehicular traffic from Sheban Drive to Hampton Drive. A detour route will be provided for vehicular traffic. Construction, lane restriction, roadway closure and detour information will be posted along West Newport Drive and on the Mill Creek MetroParks website (www.millcreekmetroparks.org) prior to the start of construction. During the West Newport Drive closure, parking lots for the Newport Wetlands and the West Newport Drive Picnic Area will be closed to vehicular traffic, however, these facilities will remain open and will be accessible to pedestrians and bicyclists at all times during project construction.  

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by ODOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 11, 2015, and executed by FHWA and ODOT. The proposed project will not impact any cultural resources, suspect hazardous waste sites or ecological resources. The project will not result in substantial impacts to the environment either individually or cumulatively. In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (codified as 36 CFR 800), Mill Creek MetroParks requests information regarding the presence of any known cultural resources in the vicinity of the project. Cultural resources include prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, historic bridges, historic buildings, sites and districts.

To ensure the proposed project is viable and successful, Mill Creek Metro Parks is seeking comments from the public about the social, environmental, and economic impacts of this proposed project. Environmental impacts include those involving archeological, architectural and ecological resources, regulated materials and the general location of the project. Any comments you may have regarding the environmental and/or the proposed project may be submitted by February 9, 2018.

 All public comments, questions and/or concerns about the project are welcomed, and should be directed to:

 Mill Creek MetroParks
Re: Andrew Steingass, Park Planner
P.O. Box 596
Canfield, OH 44406-0596
Phone: 330.702.3000
Fax: 330.702.3010
Steingass@Millcreekmetroparks.org

 

While Lanterman’s Mill freezes, animals at Mill Creek remain active

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While most of us would rather curl up inside and watch Netflix instead of braving the bitter cold, naturalists at Mill Creek Park say some plants and animals actually thrive in this weather.

“The park is used to this. It’s natural for it to drop this low,” Cody Stoll said. “A lot of the animals, you’ll see, are used to the weather, they’ll adapt to this. Their fur might get a little thicker and they create a wax coating to keep them from getting too wet.”

Friday afternoon, turkeys ate outside of the Ford Nature Center. One of the ways the birds keep warm is by lifting one leg to attract more heat to their core.

“Especially here, a lot of the birds, you can see just how active they are,” Nick Parich said.

Naturalists are careful to make sure the birds have plenty to eat.

“We’re keeping the bird feeders full,” Stoll said.

As far as plants, there’s something in your garden that likes the chilly weather.

“If you’re a garlic planter, then the more frost, the better for the garlic,” Stoll said.

A lot of trees, including hemlocks and pines, are built for these temperatures.

“They actually produce a sap that’ll help keep them warm,” Parich said.

Throughout the park, nature is responding to the single-digit temperatures. From Lanterman’s Mill to all of Mill Creek’s lakes, the ice and snow are creating a winter wonderland that is incredible to see.

The Mill is one of the most picturesque sights in Youngstown during the winter. Large icicles have now formed on rocks near the waterfall. Even some of the fall itself has frozen but it’ll take much colder temperatures to stop all of the water from running.

“Underneath is all magma. It’s really hot to keep it melted, so it’s keeping the rocks on the crest hot as well,” Stoll said. “Since they’re hot, the water that’s running across those rocks — even though the water is cold to us — it’s still relatively warm.”

You can still see breaks in the ice at the Mill but the same can’t be said for Lake Glacier. It’s living up to its name because it was a large sheet of ice on Friday.

Both Parich and Stoll say this is one of the best times to be at the park, especially if you like hiking. It’s peaceful and not a lot of people are on the trails.

View the full article at wkbn.com

Nearly two dozen apply to be Mill Creek Park Commissioners

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A selection committee must once again fill two spots on the Mill Creek MetroParks Board of Commissioners. But they’ll have nearly two dozen applicants to choose from. 

Thursday afternoon marked the deadline for those interested in becoming a park commissioner. 

As of 5 p.m., twenty-two applications had been accepted. 

The applicants are all Valley residents, some with nearly 70 years experience living in the area. 

The candidates have experience in public offices ranging from a trustee, school board members, and more. 

Several applicants are veterans of the armed forces, and some even boast of experience working for the park system. 

The names will now be forwarded to a selection committee who will choose two new commissioners to fill the vacancies left behind by John Raglan and Tom Shipka. 

It is still unclear when that selection is expected to be made. 

The full list of applicants can be seen here:

Application #1 – Brian Michael Kennedy
Application # 2 – Jerome Williams    
Application # 3 – Peter Houston Milliken
Application # 4 – Jeff W. Harvey        
Application # 5 – Richard P. Clautti        
Application # 6 – Leo Howard Connelly Jr.    
Application # 7 – David N. Moliterno    
Application # 8 – Dr. Richard F. Marinelli
Application # 9 – Joshua Ryan Boyle    
Application # 10 – Martin E. Willmitch
Application # 11 – Janet Lee Reeves        
Application # 12 – Patricia L. Stokes
Application # 13 – Jeffrey M. Syphard    
Application # 14 – Thaddeus “Ted” J. Lyda, Jr
Application # 15 – Judd Adam Rubins    
Application #16 – Paul Normand Olivier    
Application # 17 – Charles Quentin Creager        
Application #18 – Jerome Williams
Application #19 – Colleen Bridget Lozano    
Application # 20 – Lauren Elizabeth Johnson        
Application# 21 – Don Manning    
Application # 22 – Julius Thomas Oliver

View the full article at wfmj.com

Notice of January Board Meeting

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A Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will be held on Monday, January 8, 2018, at 6 p.m., in McMahon Hall, at the MetroParks Farm, in Canfield, on Rt. 46. The agenda will be available after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

IDORA BRIDGE REHABILITATION PROJECT PLANNED FOR MILL CREEK PARK

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Mill Creek MetroParks is soliciting public comment for an upcoming improvement project.  Named after the former Idora Park, the Idora Bridge is located on East Park Drive approximately 0.25 miles north of U.S. Route 62 (Canfield Road) in the Mill Creek Park Historic District. The proposed bridge rehabilitation project includes cleaning the existing stone gravity abutments, wing walls and retaining walls, replacement (in-kind) of timber bridge railing, extending the existing concrete bridge sidewalk, timber posts and railing for approximately fifty feet, replacement of displaced concrete curb, installation of one catch basin and headwall, resurfacing the bridge deck and approach pavement, and other miscellaneous construction related items.

The transportation improvement is scheduled for construction in the summer 2018. The estimated construction cost is approximately $250,000.00 with 80% of the project being funded through a Federal Highway Administration Surface Transportation Program grant. During project construction, the Idora Bridge will remain open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic at all times, but will be closed to all vehicular traffic for a maximum of 45 days. A detour route will be provided for vehicular traffic. Construction, lane restriction, bridge closure and detour information will be posted at the Idora Bridge, along East Park Drive and on the Mill Creek MetroParks website (www.millcreekmetroparks.org) prior to the start of construction. Access to parking for Lanterman’s Mill and all other Mill Creek Park facilities will be maintained at all times during project construction.

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by ODOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 11, 2015, and executed by FHWA and ODOT. The proposed project will not impact any cultural resources, suspect hazardous waste sites or ecological resources. The project will not result in substantial impacts to the environment either individually or cumulatively.  In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (codified as 36 CFR 800), Mill Creek MetroParks requests information regarding the presence of any known cultural resources in the vicinity of the project.  Cultural resources include prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, historic bridges, historic buildings, sites and districts. 

To ensure the proposed project is viable and successful, Mill Creek MetroParks is seeking comments from the public about the social, environmental, and economic impacts of this proposed project. Environmental impacts include those involving archeological, architectural and ecological resources, regulated materials and the general location of the project. Any comments you may have regarding the environmental and/or the proposed project may be submitted by February 5, 2018.

All public comments, questions and/or concerns about the project are welcomed, and should be directed to:

Mill Creek MetroParks
Re: Andrew Steingass, Park Planner
P.O. Box 596
Canfield, OH 44406-0596
Phone: 330.702.3000
Fax: 330.702.3010
Steingass@millcreekmetroparks.org

Notice of MetroParks Standing Committee Meeting

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The Finance Standing Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners will meet on Saturday, January 6, 10:00 a.m., in Classroom A at the MetroParks Farm in Canfield.