Outside media coverage of Mill Creek MetroParks

Mill Creeks Tolnar named PGA Merchandiser of the year -Its one of the PGA of America’s most prestigious award

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Mill Creek MetroParks Head Golf Professional Brian Tolnar has been named the PGA Merchandiser of the Year – Public Category by the Professional Golfers Association of America.

Tolnar, a member of the Northern Ohio Section of the PGA since 2015, was recognized today during the opening ceremonies of the PGA Show in Orlando, Fla.

This marks the sixth time a NOPGA member has been selected for one of the PGA of America’s most prestigious awards. Tolnar becomes the second NOPGA member to earn the Merchandiser of the Year – Public Category Award, joining Bob Sprunk in 1982.

Mill Creek MetroParks is located in Boardman, Ohio and consists of two 18-hole championship courses designed by Donald Ross and an 18-hole, par-3 course located about five miles from Mill Creek’s two 18-hole facilities.

A native of Hubbard, Ohio, Tolnar returned to Northeastern Ohio in 2015 after a 12-year stay at two courses near Rochester, N.Y. He attended Youngstown State University and the PGA Professional Golf Management University program in Port St. Lucie.

Tolnar, 44, oversees Mill Creek’s North and South Championship courses, as well as an adjacent 18-hole Par-3 course. The club’s 900-square foot pro shop has drawn rave reviews for many years, reflective of Tolnar being a three-time winner (2016-2018-2020) of the NOPGA’s Merchandiser of the Year Award.

Tolnar learned of his award during a phone call from PGA President Jim Richardson. It was a call Tolnar never expected but a call he’ll never forget.

“When the call came in I was shocked and speechless,” he recalled. “It caught me off guard. Your heart starts pounding immediately. It took me two weeks of totally sleepless nights for it to finally register. Anytime you have the opportunity to win one of these prestigious awards it’s a total honor, whether at the Section level or especially the National level. It’s a career changing opportunity professionally and a game changer for our golf operation at the Mill Creek MetroParks.”

Other NOPGA members to earn national awards include Sprunk and Howard Morrette (1972 PGA Golf Professional of the Year), Don Kotnik (1993 PGA Golf Professional of the Year), Dr. Renee Powell (2003 PGA First Lady of Golf and Dr. William Powell (2009 PGA Distinguished Service Award).

 

See the original article at WFMJ.

Weller Gallery displays MVWS members’ work

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The work of Mahoning Valley Watercolor Society members will be on display through April 17 at Mill Creek MetroParks’ Weller Gallery.

“A Splash of Color” features the work of 31 area artists who create with watercolor, plein air watercolor, acrylic and alcohol ink. MVWS was founded in 1982 by 11 artists with the goal to encourage local watercolor painters. The society provides watercolorists a place to share work, to learn more about watercolor techniques and to receive information regarding watercolor-related events in the community.

The group’s members range from beginners to professional artists who teach and show their work internationally.

The Weller Gallery is located inside the Davis Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and admission is free.

For more information, go to millcreekmetroparks.org or call 330-740-7116. For more information on the society, go to mvartists.org.

 

See the original article at Tribune Chronicle.

Mill Creek Metroparks unveil 2022 improvement plans

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The community will see improvements in trails, signage, pavilions, restrooms, nature preserves and wildlife sanctuaries.

It’ll be a busy year for Mill Creek Metroparks as many areas and attractions will start improvements in 2022.

This year, the park is expected to reach a 5,000 acre span, 50 miles of trails and see 15 Mahoning County jurisdictions.

“We are purchasing more land and we are planning on closing on those purchases in the first quarter of 2022,” said Aaron Young, Executive Director of Mill Creek Metroparks.

The community will see improvements in trails, signage, pavilions, restrooms, nature preserves and wildlife sanctuaries.

“The year 2022 begins our second five-year capital improvement plan,” Young told 21 News’ Erin Simonek, “We anticipate continuing that moving forward and improving all aspects of the Metroparks.”

Lanterman’s Mill, Fellows Riverside Gardens and and the Metroparks Farm will also see upgrades. The farm will even feature an NCAA cross-country course.

“We can partner with our local educational facilities to the college level on down to the high school level, and be that platform for cross-country meets,” Young added.

The park plans to expand the bike trial from Western Reserve Road to the Mahoning County line but because of the ongoing eminent domain battle, they might not begin construction until 2023.

Golf lovers will see the new golf simulator at Mill Creek’s course.

“The golf simulation projects will be the upstairs at the current Metroparks Fieldhouse,” Young added.

2022 capital improvements will come with a price tag of about $2.7 million.

“Regardless of what you enjoy, by partaking and visiting the Metroparks, we hope to improve that experience for you,” Young said about these improvements.

Park officials are also raising full and part time employees wages by 3%.

The Ford Nature Center is also expected to open in June 2022.

Read the Original Article at WFMJ.

Mill Creek MetroParks launches youth NFL Flag Football League. Here’s the game plan

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Mill Creek MetroParks has teamed up with NFL Flag to launch a co-ed youth NFL Flag Football League this spring at Wick Recreation Area. Participants will wear Mill Creek MetroParks/NFL team branded jerseys. Every player also will receive flags with a belt, socks, shorts, a drawstring bag, a water bottle, optional shoe fittings and team picture opportunities. Registration is open to age groups 4U, 6U, 8U, 10U and 12U. The player registration fee is $119.99 for Mahoning County residents and $129.99 for nonresidents. Players will receive $10 off if they register by Feb. 28. Register online here, in person at Wick Recreation Area or by calling 330-740-7114.

Skill evaluations will take place April 11 or 12. The evaluations will be followed by a coaches draft for team selections. Games will be played on Saturdays at Wick Recreation Area from May 14 through June 18. “We’re thrilled to bring NFL Flag to the football-hungry communities of the Valley, and to host a flag football season at Wick Recreation Area,” Chris Bundy, Mill Creek recreation manager, said in a news release. “Backed by the NFL and our league-experienced staff, we’re proud to offer a flag football experience that features family friendly, alcohol-free tailgating, cheerleaders and some fun, fast-paced football action.”

Read the original article at Mahoning Matters.

Mill Creek MetroParks announces NFL Youth Flag Football League

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Mill Creek MetroParks announced the launch of its first co-ed youth NFL flag football league this spring at Wick Recreation Area.

The league is powered by NFL Flag, and participants will wear Mill Creek MetroParks and NFL team-branded jerseys with additional NFL Flag support resources available to coaches and participants.

“Backed by the NFL and our league experienced staff, we’re proud to offer a flag football experience that features family-friendly, alcohol-free tailgating, cheerleaders and some fun, fast-paced football action,” said Chris Bundy, recreation manager.

Games will be played on Saturdays at Wick Recreation Area in Youngstown, beginning May 14 through June 18.

Registration is now open to 4U, 6U, 8U, 10U and 12U players with skill evaluations to take place on April 11 or April 12. The evaluations will be followed by a coaches’ draft for team selections.

Every player will receive a jersey, flags with a belt, socks, shorts, drawstring bag, water bottle, optional shoe fittings and team picture opportunities.

There is a registration fee for both Mahoning County residents and non-residents. For more information, visit www.millcreekmetroparks.org or call 330-740-7114.

See original article at WKBN.

Mill Creek Park Golf Course receives $15,000 donation

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Valley golfers know the history of Mill Creek Park Golf Course. Golfers around the country are aware that it was designed by premier golf architect Donald Ross.

It was his only 36-hole layout in the United States.

The Donald Ross Society presented a $15,000 check to the golf course for the second consecutive year to support continuing course improvements.

It was their fourth donation in recent years, totaling about $50,000.

The group believes in how Mill Creek Park is saving what Ross built.

“They preserve that Ross legacy, but they’re also so hands-on friendly to promote the game of golf. And they do it on much less than most others have, so they’ve got a commitment to excellence,” said Mark Larson,

The two courses at Mill Creek Park get 87,000 rounds of golf played each year. No other course has gotten more checks or as much money from the Donald Ross Society.

 

See original article at WKBN

Mill Creek MetroParks adds 218 acres of land near wildlife sanctuary

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The land includes 3,875 linear feet of Mill Creek and nearly 96 acres of high-quality wetlands on Calla Road.

Mill Creek MetroParks has acquired 218 acres of land near its Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary in Beaver Township.

The land includes 3,875 linear feet of Mill Creek and nearly 96 acres of high-quality wetlands on Calla Road.

The additional land increases the Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary to a total of 482-acres.

A grant from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund provided 75% ($457,500) of the $610,000 total projected cost.

The remaining 25% ($152,500) is being funded by the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation.

Public access including wayfinding signage, an improved trail system and ecological habitat restoration efforts are being planned.

See original article at WFMJ

Children savor breakfast with Santa at Mill Creek gardens

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Lucia DePalma’s No. 1 Christmas gift request may require an added dose of creativity and ingenuity on the part of Santa Claus and his busy toy-making elves.

“She wants an Isla’s necklace for Christmas,” Lucia’s mother, Katie, said.

The item, from the film “Barbie Dolphin Magic,” is named after Isla, a mermaid who uses the purple and blue necklace to magically convert her tail to human legs.

For his part, St. Nick used his magic and gift for traveling long distances in short times to be the guest of honor for the annual Breakfast with Santa gathering Saturday morning at Inspired Catering by Kravitz, in the D.D. and Velma Davis Education and Visitor Center at Mill Creek MetroParks’ Fellows Riverside Gardens, 123 McKinley Ave., on the West Side.

Santa also stayed for a second 90-minute seating Saturday afternoon at the center.

The holiday-themed, family-friendly event, which was canceled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is a favorite pastime for Katie, of Poland, who also plans to take Lucia to see “The Nutcracker” at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh as an added holiday treat. The occasion will mark Lucia’s first trip to the city, her mother said.

First, however, Lucia enjoyed getting acquainted with Santa, as did her younger sister, Vivian, 1, both of whom were among the children who sat on his lap and made their Christmas gift requests known.

The breakfast is a tradition for Lucia, her mother and several other family members that include Lucia’s father, Joe DePalma, and her grandparents, Bob and Gloria Farrow of Poland.

“This is very festive and gets you in the mood,” Katie said about the breakfast. “It’s a very positive and cheery environment.”

St. Nick also seemed to hold fast to a cheerful mood, despite making his presence on a day devoid of snow and with temperatures in the low 60s that was more reminiscent of Easter than Christmas.

For those who have spent Christmases past wondering how St. Nick can climb down chimneys year after year with aplomb, perhaps Lorenzo Pennachio of Liberty has the answer.

“Santa has magic,” Lorenzo, 5, observed. “He shrinks when he goes down the chimney.”

During his one-on-one time with St. Nick, Lorenzo asked for a self-balancing scooter for himself and a doll for younger sister, Liliana, 1, he said.

For Lorenzo’s mother, Cassie, this Christmas will be extra special for more than a different chimney for Santa’s to slide down.

“We’re actually having Christmas in our new house this year,” Cassie said, adding that the family moved last year from Warren.

On Christmas day, things likely will fall more into lockstep with tradition, because Cassie, her husband, Dante, and the two children will be spending time with others that includes extended family members from out of town, Cassie continued.

An estimated 150 people attended the family favorite holiday breakfast, Patty Rydarowicz, Inspired Catering’s senior events coordinator, said. The event also was in partnership with Fellows Riverside Gardens, she added.

The breakfast menu consisted of an omelet and waffle bar, along with bacon, bagels and other traditional foods.

Providing the musical entertainment were members of the Liberty High School choir, who offered their interpretations of popular Christmas tunes such as “Jingle Bells” and “The 12 Days of Christmas.” The students also provided a few dance numbers, including to the song “Santa Baby.”

See original article at The Vindicator

Fellows Riverside Gardens shows off tree, light displays

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Fellows Riverside Gardens has kicked off its the Festival of Trees display.

Starting Saturday, the community will have a chance to check out the free event.

More than 50 trees will be on display — all decorated by organizations across the Mahoning Valley.

Community Engagement Director Jaime Yohman said it’s a great opportunity for those organizations.

“To showcase what they offer to the community and just give a little bit of insight and information to the public on how they can help with needs in the community,” Yohman said.

The Festival of Trees opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. Saturday.

You will be able to see the tree display Tuesday through Sunday, through January 7.

You can also check out the Winter Nights light display at the same location.

The Winter Nights display is going to be the first three Saturdays in December. Because it is a light display, the garden hours will be extended until 7 p.m. on those days.

View the original article at WKBN.

Valley organizations decorate 55 trees for festival

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Mill Creek MetroParks is ready to start its holiday celebration, which is sponsored by WKBN and free for everybody.

Winter Celebration starts Saturday at Fellows Riverside Gardens. On Tuesday, the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities putting together its tree for the Festival of Trees display.

In total, 55 trees are being decorated by organizations across the Mahoning Valley.

“It’s a way for them to spread the word to our many, many visitors through the month of December on what their organization has to offer and how they might help,” said educator Lynn Zocolo.

This is the 20th year for the Winter Celebration: Festival of Trees. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day but Mondays, through Jan. 7.

The first three Saturdays in December, the display hours are being extended until 7 p.m. for guests to experience the Winter Nights outdoor light display.

See original article on WKBN.