Noah Dearing loves fishing as much as he loves the outdoors.

When it was time for him to select an Eagle Scout project, he combined his passions and came up with a project that filled the order. He is making 10 used fishing-line receptacles to be placed at Mill Creek MetroParks fishing areas around Mahoning County.

Noah, 16, son of Albin and Kathleen Dearing of Poland, and his 13-year-old brother Gabriel are members of Boy Scout Troop 2 out of the Poland Methodist Church. His father serves as the troop’s scoutmaster. Noah finished his sophomore year at Poland Seminary High School and will be a junior this fall, when he hopes to be able to have his court of honor for the Eagle Award.

Noah said when he started looking at ideas, he had thought about bat boxes, but other Valley Scouts had undertaken that project. He met with Nick Derico of Mill Creek MetroParks, who offered several ideas. Noah selected the fishing-related one.

“This was good timing,” Derico said. “The park just expanded fishing in several areas.”

He said fishing will be offered at Lake Glacier, Lake Newport and Lake Cohasset. Fishing also will take place at Yellow Creek, Vickers Nature Preserve and the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm pond in Canfield. In total, Noah needed 10 receptacles to place at the sites.

The next steps for Noah were to secure funding and materials.

“I wrote letters to friends and family,” he said. “My budget for the project was set at $935 and I raised $1,700.”

Along with monetary donations, Noah also secured donated supplies, including the PVC pipe from Trumbull Industries and the stain from Sherman-Williams. The only item Noah had to purchase was the wooden posts to hold the receptacles.

“I will be donating any leftover funds to the park to help out with future maintenance,” Noah said.

On Saturday, Noah and a small crew installed the receptacles.

Albin said Noah’s project helped keep him going in Scouting during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said Troop 2 has 35 members and meeting by virtual means has been tough.

“Everyone is looking forward to doing some camping,” Albin said. “We are even going to send out a survey to see if parents would favor holding in-person meetings as long as the social-distancing guidelines were followed. We haven’t had a troop meeting since March.”

In the meantime, Noah said he hopes to fish this summer, knowing he shouldn’t be running across discarded fishing line.

Full article at vindy.com

Mill Creek MetroParks today began issuing notices of hour reductions and layoffs to 16 non-union support staff.

“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,” said Aaron Young, executive director.

Because of a decline in revenue, Young said hour reductions and layoffs can no longer be avoided.

Some Mill Creek MetroParks outdoor locations remain open, including Mill Creek Park, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Sebring Woods, the MetroParks Bikeway, Mill Creek Golf Course, Wick Par 3 golf course, MetroParks Farm disc golf course, all nature preserves and sanctuaries, and permitted lakes and ponds for fishing and boating.

A list of closures, cancellations and openings can be found at MillCreekMetroparks.org.

Full article at businessjournaldaily.com

 

Mill Creek MetroParks is extending the cancellations of all previously scheduled programs, tours, events, lectures and indoor facility rentals through Aug. 31.

If a registration fee or rental fee was paid, a full refund will be processed.

The following locations will be closed to the public through Aug. 31:

• MetroParks Farm Education Building and animal barns;
• D.D. & Velma Davis Education and Visitors Center;
• All reservable pavilions, cabins and 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 and 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.

Visitors are asked to follow all guidelines from state and local health officials.

View full article at mahoningmatters.com