Boardman 5th graders had the opportunity to learn in a unique way on Thursday.

According to the press release, 5th grade students from Boardman Center Intermediate School spent the day at the Lily Pond at Mill Creek Park learning about organisms and ecosystems of the area.

The students recorded their findings with on iPads and will post their findings to a website called iNaturalist.

“We hope this is something we can repeat, year after year, with our 5th graders,” said Science teacher Megan Turillo. “This kind of field trip provides great hands on opportunities, and the kids can track their results, and make observations about a place that’s close to home. It’s not only learning, but it’s also about having an impact.”

Boardman Subaru sponsored the field trip and teachers hope to expand the trip to include 7th and 8th graders.

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A $100,000 gift from The James & Coralie Centofanti Charitable Foundation will be matched by the Sand Hill Foundation, Menlo Park, Calif., for a total $200,000 toward the renovation of the Ford Nature Center at Mill Creek MetroParks.

The Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation launched the campaign for the $3 million project in July 2018. Since then, the foundation has raised more than $1 million toward its goal and received the matching challenge grant for every dollar raised up to $1 million from Sand Hill Foundation.

“This gift will have a tremendous impact on our continued effort to educate generations of children and adults about the wonders of the natural world through the Ford Nature Center,” said Chris Litton, Mill Creek MetroParks director of development.

Planned upgrades will allow Ford Nature Center to continue serving as the Mahoning Valley’s primary resource on nature education and provide visitors with more hands-on educational experiences in the outdoors through the use of nature classrooms, learning labs and exhibits.

“Our goal in renovating this early 20th century structure to a 21st century learning center is to provide a portal for individuals of all ages and abilities to learn and enjoy the natural space in a very seamless fashion,” Litton said.

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The Mill Creek MetroParks Golf Course was added to the list of park venues with a named endowment, thanks to a contribution from the Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation.

The establishment of the $300,000 endowment was announced at a news conference Wednesday morning at the course.

Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation kicked off a campaign at the start of 2018 to establish endowments that would fund longterm maintenance of areas in the MetroParks. Since then, the foundation has raised more than $1 million in endowed funds.

The other areas in Mill Creek MetroParks with named endowments are the Joanne F. Beeghly Rose Garden, the Collier Family MetroParks Bikeway and the MetroParks Land Preservation and Conservation Endowment.

“The Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation Golf Course Endowment will greatly assist the MetroParks’ efforts to provide a world class facility for all who enjoy the game of golf,” said Mill Creek MetroParks executive director Aaron Young.

After the Mahoning Valley Hospital was sold in 2007, the non-profit was converted into a sunset foundation, meaning that it will cease to exist in the next three to four years.

“We’re doing our last round of big announcements, and we’re very excited about this one,” said foundation president and CEO Mike Senchak.

The endowment will ensure the long-term maintenance of the MetroParks golf venues and fund capital improvements for the park’s golf venues.

Senchak hopes to promote year-round golf play, since the existing venues at the MetroParks are limited by season. He also intends to increase the appeal of golf in the Valley to different age groups, including young people.

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The Mill Creek Metro Parks hosted a special Tales for Tots event featuring baby animals.

Two to three-years-olds and their families traveled to the Metro Park Farms to see the newest members of the farm community.

Naturalist Brenda Markley hosted the event which was attended by more than 11 children.

“We want to show case spring coming to the park by spot lighting our youngest farm animals,” Markley said.

To kick off the event Markley read the group “Sounds on the Farm.”

Children assisted in the reading of the book by echoing the sounds farm animals make as Markley read.

After reading about the animals children and their families took a trip to the barn where they got to meet them.

Children were able to pet ducklings and rabbits as Markley held them.

Community members were even able to meet a 2-month-old pig, Peter Porker, who is brand new to the farm.

“We just have a lot of new members of the farm community,” Markley said.

The Metro Parks Farm is open weekly for community members who want to come and see the animals themselves.

“We are always excited for this time of year,” Markley said. “It’s when the farm really comes alive.”

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