Outside media coverage of Mill Creek MetroParks

Mill Creek Park encouraging golfers to book tee-time online

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It was a busy weekend at Mill Creek Golf Course in Boardman.

On Friday, Mill Creek announced a limit on the number of people in certain areas at once. Only seven people are allowed in the pro shop at once.

Management is urging people to show up no earlier than 10 minutes before tee-time.

They also recommend setting appointments on your phone.

“Whatever tee-time you want, you can book an extended period of time, a week or two out, and book your tee-time,” said Brian Tolnar, PGA golf director at Mill Creek Park. “So it’ll be a little more convenient. So we’ve been really pushing people to do the online to make it easier and help our staff out.”

Tolnar said staff members are required to wear masks. Employees will also get temperature checks before each shift.

View full article at WKBN

 

Mill Creek Park cancels upcoming summer concerts, movie nights

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Officials with Mill Creek MetroParks announced Tuesday that they are canceling their upcoming summer concerts and movie nights due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Park officials canceled all performances for Live at the Morley, which were originally scheduled for June 10, July 8 and August 12.

Mill Creek’s newly-planned Movie in the Park events were canceled. Those were supposed to be held at the Wick Recreation Area on June 24, July 22 and August 26.

The Yellow Creek Concert series was also canceled, which was supposed to be held at Yellow Creek Park in Struthers on June 11, July 9 and August 13.

The cancellations were made in order to keep visitors, staff and vendors safe while the coronavirus pandemic continues.

They plan to bring these events back next summer.

View full article at WKBN

Mill Creek Park reopening golf courses but extending closures for other activities

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Mill Creek MetroParks will be opening two of its golf courses on Saturday.

Both the north and south courses will be open with adjusted hours — weekends from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. and weekdays from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.

The Wick Par-3 course will open on May 11 with the adjusted hours of Mondays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Social distancing must be practiced and only one golfer is allowed per cart.

Flags will remain in the hole and putt stoppers will be put in each hole.

CLICK HERE for more guidelines to follow before heading out to Mill Creek to golf.

The golf courses are one of the only Mill Creek activities/locations open right now, along with:

  • Mill Creek Park
  • Fellows Riverside Gardens
  • MetroParks Bikeway
  • James L. Wick Recreation Area
  • Scholl Recreation Area
  • Yellow Creek Park
  • Walking trails
  • Disc golf course
  • All nature preserves

The following locations will be closed through May 18:

  • MetroParks Farm Education Building and animal barns
  • D.D. & Velma Davis Education and Visitors Center
  • All pavilions, cabins and reservable shelters
  • Yellow Creek Lodge
  • Lanterman’s Mill
  • Wick Warming House
  • Administration office
  • All basketball courts, playgrounds, tennis courts and ball fields
  • Dek Hockey Rink – located at Wick Recreation Area

All previously scheduled programs, events, rentals or lectures have been canceled, and that cancellation deadline has now been extended through May 30. Refunds are available.

View full article at WKBN

Broken pavement closes road in Mill Creek MetroParks

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A road inside Mill Creek MetroParks is closed after the pavement began to crack and fall away.

East Newport Drive between Newport Drive and the boat launch is closed.

Cones were set up blocking the road.

According to park officials, a slope failure caused the damage.

The road will be closed while the extensive repair project is completed.

To maintain use of and access to the East Newport Boat Launch, East Newport Drive between the Boat Launch and Kiwatha Drive has been opened to two-way vehicular traffic.

For the duration of the drive repair project, vehicles are temporarily permitted to drive southbound on East Newport Drive from Kiwatha Drive to the Boat Launch. All park patrons are encouraged to be safe, patient, and adhere to the new circulation patterns in this area.

A completion date has yet to be established for the drive repair project, closures and detours.

Mill Creek MetroParks extend cancellations

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Mill Creek MetroPark is extending the cancellations of all previously scheduled programs, golf clinics/programs, events, lectures and facility rentals through May 1.

Several indoor/outdoor public facilities will remain closed through May 1 as well.

In the event a registration fee or rental fee was paid, a full refund will be processed.

The following Mill Creek MetroParks indoor/outdoor locations will be closed to the public:

  • MetroParks Farm Education Building and Animal Barns
  • D. D. & Velma Davis Education and Visitors Center
  • All Pavilions, Cabins & Reservable Shelters
  • Yellow Creek Lodge
  • Lanterman’s Mill
  • Wick Warming House
  • Administration Office
  • Mill Creek Golf Course
  • All Basketball Courts
  • All Playgrounds
  • All Tennis Courts
  • All Ball Fields
  • Dek Hockey Rink – located at Wick Recreation Area

Various Mill Creek MetroParks outdoor locations will remain open including Mill Creek Park, Fellows Riverside Gardens, MetroParks Bikeway, James L. Wick Recreation Area, Scholl Recreation Area, Yellow Creek Park, Walking Trails, Golf Cart Paths for walking and all Nature Preserves.

On their website, the MetroParks urges visitors to follow all guidelines from state and local health officials, such as social distancing, not congregating in large groups, and practicing good hygiene.

They also suggest no using items such as handrails, park benches and other areas frequently touched to help flatten the curve and stop the spread of COVID-19.

View full article at WKBN

Future of public parks amid coronavirus pandemic

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With the weather warming up and most activities put on hold, public parks are one of the few places for people to go…but it isn’t just by nature they’re open.

“We really do urge people to follow the guidelines, use the social distancing, make sure that you’re at least six feet away.” says Jaime Yohman, Community Engagement Director at Mill Creek Metroparks.

On Monday, Ohio governor Mike DeWine hinted at a possible shutdown of parks, due to many reports of people not practicing social distancing.

“It is such a great asset that we have in our community, and we would really hate to see it be closed because people are not following the rules and guidelines that are put into place by the governor.”, Yohman added.

Boardman police also have their hands full overseeing the parks, making it hard to respond to those in need.

“The less traffic out there, the less we have to potentially interact with them…the more that happens, the more our officers are in our neighborhoods.”, says Boardman Police Chief Todd Werth., the pain we’re going

The common theme among everyone is the more we do now, the more we’ll be able to do sooner.

“The more we can do right now, the pain we’re going to feel right now, and those kinds of things are going to end this quicker, and let us get back to a sense of normalcy.”, added Werth.

Full article at wfmj.com

Mill Creek Park becomes escape from quarantine and stress

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Even with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s stay-at-home order, trips to the park are allowed. If you keep your distance from other people, getting outside can be a nice way to forget about the virus lurking around us.

On Wednesday at Mill Creek Park’s Daffodil Meadow, white and purple crocuses mingled with the yellow daffodils, forcing people to break from their walks to take pictures.

“It’s relaxing,” Joanne Forsythe said. “It just kind of clears your head.”

A mile away, the park’s East Golf Hike and Bike Trail was busier than normal.

“I’m tired of sitting in the house, cleaning cupboards, closets, drawers and decided to go for a walk in the park,” Forsythe said. “It’s beautiful out here. And tired of looking for toilet paper.”

A mile-and-a-half from the bike trail at Boardman’s Good Hope Lutheran Church, Pastor Bob Quaintance was passing out consecrated communion wafers in bags of 10 to be used as his congregation watches the Wednesday evening and Sunday morning services streamed online.

“We’d like our people to be able to participate in worship and communion,” he said. “Word and sacrament is an important part of our liturgy as Lutherans.”

Pastor Bob said online streaming has gone well. On Saturday, he even streamed a funeral service.

“We had over 500 people ‘attend’ the funeral service for their friend who couldn’t have been there because they were following the governor’s advice and staying home.”

He’s looking to buy a camera to replace the iPhone that’s currently being used.

Boardman-based psychologist Dr. Nicole Rantilla was also at the park Wednesday.

“I’m seeing a huge increase in anxiety and stress,” she said.

Rantilla, who is now doing teletherapy sessions, had some advice for everyone:

“To be kind to themselves, to take care, to show themselves grace. Not to feel pressured to do a bunch of stuff because you’re home and also to be kind to yourself if you just want to take the day nice and slow, and focus on a task or two at a time.”

The communion wafers at Good Hope Lutheran Church will be handed out again Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Mill Creek Park will be open again as well.

Full article at WKBN

Mill Creek MetroParks say get close to nature, not to each other

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Spending time outdoors is a great way to stay active and healthy during the coronavirus pandemic. Reconnecting with nature can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

Although many Mill Creek MetroParks indoor facilities, outdoor playgrounds, and programs have been closed and canceled, Mill Creek Park itself remains open for visitors to get outside and explore. Mill Creek MetroParks officials want to remind park users of the importance of following all guidelines from state and local health officials, such as social distancing and practicing good hygiene to help flatten the curve and stop the spread of COVID-19.

For more information on COVID-19 and ODH’s recommendations on prevention and preparation, please visit coronavirus.ohio.gov

Full article at WFMJ

Mill Creek, Stambaugh golf courses closed as coronavirus precaution

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People who want to stretch their legs during Ohio’s Stay at Home order won’t be able to do it at a couple of the Valley’s golf courses.

Mill Creek MetroParks announced on Monday that the Mill Creek Golf Course on West Golf Drive, Boardman, will be closed to the public through at least Sunday, April 5, 2020,

A statement from the park says the closure is due to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s “Stay at Home” order in an effort to help control the spread of the COVID-19 Virus.

For similar reasons, the Youngstown Health Department is restricting public access to the Henry Stambaugh golf course on Gypsy Lane.

According to the Frequently Asked Questions posted by state officials, Families will still be able to go outside, including to parks and outdoor spaces that remain open, and take a walk, run, or bike rid.

However, people are still being asked to practice social distancing by remaining 6 feet away from other people.

Playgrounds are closed because they pose a high risk of increasing transmission.

Full article at WFMJ

Mill Creek golf course remains open

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Mill Creek MetroParks is following all of the recommendations regarding COVID-19 and has closed several indoor public facilities through April 5. However, all of Mill Creek Park’s outdoor features will remain open, including the golf course.

On Monday, the north course was open for play. Golfers still have to negotiate some challenging par 3s, stay out of sand bunkers and weave through tall trees.

Golfers play 65,000 to 68,000 rounds a year at Mill Creek Park and they will notice changes.

“I think the new cart paths, something that’s long overdue,” said Brian Tolnar, PGA director of golf. “I guess they got started around 2002. We’re going to complete those this year. We’ll have 18 holes on the south course completed, plus four on the north course. We did a greens draining project in the fall so we’re excited to showcase that.”

Mill Creek Park has added more room to the golf shop. It took space from an office for its remodel, updated the look and added more golf gear.

Full article at wkbn.com