OUTSIDE MEDIA COVERAGE OF MILL CREEK METROPARKS

Hunt begins for new vendor at MetroParks garden cafe

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Mill Creek MetroParks is looking for a new vendor to take over the Garden Cafe inside the Davis Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Mill Creek MetroParks announced in December that the cafe would close Jan. 1 for what it referred to as a “redevelopment phase.” As part of the transition, Kravitz will not be returning to operate the cafe.

Now, Mill Creek is requesting proposals from food and beverage vendors to take over. They are due Jan. 28.

Proposal information should include the company’s name, proposed rent and percentage of sales, qualifications and an equipment list. A W-9, proof of insurance, and worker’s compensation insurance must be provided with the proposal form.

Proposals can be submitted to jjablonski@millcreekmetroparks.org. For questions, call 330.740.7116 ext. 212.

It is unclear when the cafe will reopen.

 

Read the original article at WKBN.

Capital improvement projects underway at Mill Creek Metroparks

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Economic development is coming to Mill Creek Metroparks this year, from projects to infrastructure.

It’s all in an effort to make the park’s operations more efficient and improve their overall quality.

“We’ll be tackling East Glacier drive, the Slippery Rock bridge is a major project that we’re undertaking this year that was funded at 80 percent by a federal grant,” Justin Rogers, director of planning and operations at Mill Creek Metroparks said.

There’s a lot of movement going on around Mill Creek Metroparks in terms of improving roads and bridges.

“We’ll be addressing the infrastructure of the bridge itself, the abutments, piers, decks, sidewalks, railing and making it more accessible and safer,” Rogers said.

At the first meeting of the year, the metroparks board was presented with the 2026 capital improvement project that looks to add to what Mill Creek Metroparks already has to offer. They’re constructing a new service center and children’s garden at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

“It will be almost an acre worth of activities for children to experience horticulture and veggie garden areas and learn and appreciate what’s offered in the natural community,” Rogers said.

A new lodge at Vickers Nature Preserve is also coming down the pipeline.

“The Vicker’s Lodge is going to be consistent with a lot of our other facilities where it’ll be available for private rentals for equestrian programs or events out at Vickers and certainly metroparks programming where if we have hikes or other educational programs we can host it out of that facility,” he said.

More than $1.3 million has been budgeted toward Fellows Riverside Garden improvements including irrigation and signage improvements and cafe interior upgrades among other things.

There is $20,000 budgeted for Collier Preserve habitat improvements, $10,500 for Lanterman’s Mill infrastructure upgrades and deck improvements and $5,000 to Vicker’s lodge to name a few.

Rogers said the goal is for all 2026 capital improvements to wrap up by the end of the year, “ideally toward the beginning of fall.”

 

Read the original article at WFMJ.

Multiple Mill Creek Park roads, trails to close for two years

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Multiple roadways and trails within Mill Creek Park will close for two years beginning Monday, December 29.

These closures are necessary to safely complete parts one and two of the $40 million Mill Creek Sewer Improvements Project, which will see the City of Youngstown upgrade wastewater infrastructure within the park.

The following roadways will be closed:

– Tod Avenue between Irving Place and Weaver Road

– Weaver Road between Fellows Riverside Gardens and Tod Avenue/Price Road

– Price Road between Weaver Road and Milton Avenue

– Cavalry Run Drive between South Belle Vista and Price Road/West Glacier Drive

– Milton Avenue between Cavalry Run Drive and Price Road

– West Glacier Drive between Price Road and West Drive

– West Drive between Birch Hill Drive and Memorial Hill Drive

Additionally, the following trails will be closed:

– Cavalry Run Trail

– Old Tree Trail

– One Way Drive Trail

– Slippery Rock Trail

During the closures, signage will be posted. Drivers and visitors are asked to plan ahead and take alternate routes during the closure period.

 

Read the original article at WFMJ.

Road closures announced for Mill Creek Park sewer project

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Part of a $40 million sewer project will close roads and trails at Mill Creek Park for at least two years.

Beginning Monday, Dec. 29, the following roads will be closed during construction of parts 1 and 2 of the Mill Creek Park Interceptor Sewer Improvement Project.

The work will stop sewage from flowing into Lake Glacier.

The following roads will be closed during construction:

  • Tod Avenue will be closed from Irving Place to Weaver Road.
  • Weaver Road will be closed from Fellows Riverside Gardens to Tod Avenue/Price Road.
  • Price Road will be closed from Weaver Road to Milton Avenue.
  • Calvary Run Drive will be closed from South Belle Vista to Price Road / West Glacier Drive.
  • Milton Avenue will be closed from Calvary Run Road to Price Road.
  • West Glacier Drive will be closed from Price Road to West Drive.
  • West Drive will be closed from Birch Hill Drive to Memorial Hill Drive.

Detour signs will be posted, and all motorists and park visitors are advised to plan alternate routes.

In addition to the road closures, the following trails will be closed:

  • Calvary Run Trail
  • Old Tree Trail
  • One Way Drive Trail
  • Slippery Rock Trail

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has ordered that the sewers must be fixed.

 

Read the original article at WKBN.

Mill Creek MetroParks 2026 outlook

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Watch the original clip at WFMJ.

Improvement project begins at George L. Fordyce Park in Mahoning Valley

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An improvement project at George L. Fordyce Park, formerly Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, located along W. Calla Road in Beaver Township, will begin on Monday, Dec. 22. The project is designed to enhance public access, improve safety, and elevate the overall visitor experience.

The project work will include construction of a new aggregate parking area, as well as improvements to the existing trail network and current parking area.

During construction all parking areas, the observation platform, and access points will be closed and inaccessible to the public and permit holders. The project is expected to be completed within approximately thirty days.

This improvement project is funded at 75% through a successful Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Clean Ohio Conservation Fund application.

About Mill Creek MetroParks

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, providing visitors of all ages the opportunity to relish “the gem” of Mahoning County. From the casual visitor to the local explorer, Mill Creek MetroParks offers a natural escape and recreational activities for the enjoyment of all ages. The mission of Mill Creek MetroParks is to provide park, recreational, educational, and open space facilities of regional significance. In fulfilling this mission our objectives are to be responsive to community needs; to be environmentally sound; to be adaptable; and to be economically feasible.

To learn more about Mill Creek MetroParks, visit the park website or call 330.702.3000.

Read the original article at Mahoning Matters.

Improvement project to begin at George L. Fordyce Park Monday

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n improvement project at George L. Fordyce Park in Beaver Township, formerly the Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, is set to begin on Monday, December 22.

The project will consist of the construction of a new aggregate parking area, as well as improvements to the existing trail network and current parking area. The project is expected to be completed in 30 days.

The project’s goal is to enhance public access, improve safety and elevate visitors’ experiences.

During the construction period, all parking areas, the observation platform and access points will be closed and inaccessible to the public and permit holders.

 

Read the original article at WFMJ.

Mill Creek observation area to close for improvements

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A park in Beaver Township will be closed for about a month for an improvement project.

The work at George L. Fordyce Park on W. Calla Road, formerly Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, will begin Dec. 22 and last about 30 days.

A new parking area will be built in addition to improvements to the current parking area. Improvements will also be made to the existing trail network.

During construction, all parking areas, the observation platform, and access points will be closed and inaccessible to the public and permit holders.

Most of the money for the improvements is coming from the Ohio Public Works Commission and the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund.

 

Read the original article at WKBN.

Cafe inside Davis Center to close for revamp

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Changes are coming soon for the cafe inside the Davis Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens at Mill Creek Park.

The cafe will close Jan. 1 until further notice for what park officials are calling a “redevelopment phase.”

As part of the transition, Kravitz will not be returning to operate the cafe. A new vendor has not been announced.

 

Read the original article at WKBN.

‘Festival of Trees’ spruces up Fellows Riverside Gardens

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The “Festival of Trees” began today as a part of the Frost & Lights holiday season at Fellows Riverside Gardens inside the Mill Creek MetroParks in Youngstown.

The festival includes 88 uniquely decorated trees created by local nonprofit organizations to help bring the excitement indoors for the winter season.

“So we’ve brought the beauty of the gardens inside to give the community something to do over the next month,” Jessica Jablonski, services manager at Fellows Riverside Gardens, said. “It’s a great family tradition, there’s lots of people who come back year after year.”

Festival of Trees is open December 7, 2025, to January 4, 2026
Tuesday through Friday: 10 a.m.to 5 p.m.
Saturdays & Sundays: until 7 p.m.
Closed: December 24, December 25 and January 1

The holiday season at Mill Creek also includes Holiday Nights at Lanterman’s Mill, a one-weekend-only event starting on Dec. 13 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The weekend will include Lanternman’s Mill decorated in garland as well as festive music and a visit from Santa Claus.

Also starting on Dec. 13 is a weekend of Festive Finds from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the park. Over 35 local vendors will fill the Davis Center with gift options, handmade items and seasonal treats.

On select Saturday and Sunday evenings—December 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28—Fellows Riverside Gardens will present Winter Nights, a free outdoor light experience from 5 to 7 p.m.

Winter Nights includes character appearances from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Character appearance schedule:
Elsa and Olaf on Sunday, December 7
Santa and The Grinch on Sunday, December 14
Bluey and Bingo on Sunday, December 21

 

Read the original article at WFMJ.