OUTSIDE MEDIA COVERAGE OF MILL CREEK METROPARKS

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

/in /by

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

/in /by

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

/in /by

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

/in /by

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

/in /by

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.

Fellows Riverside Garden brings back Frost and Lights event

/in /by

Fellows Riverside Gardens is bringing back a 25-year-old tradition, kicking off the annual Frost and Lights event.

The holiday festivities run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

It includes nearly 100 trees displayed in the indoor galleries, each decorated by a different local business or organization.

“Everybody’s favorite thing is each one of the trees is live, and it’s hard to believe we can get that many live trees in the building. So I think everybody’s just amazed at the actual size of everything. You know, we’ve seen some other tree walks with smaller counts of trees, but to see 88 live trees is actually a lot,” said visitor service manager Jessia Jablonski.

They’ve also added some extra events on a few key dates, including character appearances, a craft market and a scavenger hunt in the gallery.

For those willing to brave the cold, event organizers say this year they’ve added more lights to their outdoor gardens than ever before.

The Frost and Lights event is open from now until Jan. 4.

 

Read the original article at WKBN.

Mill Creek MetroParks reflects on 2025 capital improvements

/in /by

Mill Creek MetroParks is looking back at the capital improvements of the 2025 fiscal year and looking ahead at future endeavors.

Justin Rogers, Director of Planning and Operations at Mill Creek MetroParks, presented the year’s review during a Board of Park Commissioners meeting on Monday, December 8.

Some items of note in the presentation were improvements to the Slippery Rock Bridge, George L. Fordyce Park and the Lanterman’s Mill site.

The improvements to the Slippery Rock Bridge included work such as historic preservation, vehicle and pedestrian traffic and improved stormwater management. Additionally, several proposed improvements were discussed, including rehabilitated concrete sidewalks, waterproofing and decking.

For the year, the budget for annual improvements was $480,000, which was funded approximately 80% through a federal Transportation Alternatives Program grant.

Improvements made to the Lanterman’s Mill site included entrance and deck repair, temporary improvements to the upper dam and repairs to the East Gorge Boardwalk and Canfield Road steps.

The budget that was allotted for the improvements came to $10,000, which was 100% funded through Mill endowment funds.

Budgeted in the 2025 improvement plan for $220,000 were improvements to the George L. Fordyce Park, which Youngstown State University (YSU) students and volunteers recently planted trees within.

Accessibility and habitat improvements were outlined in the presentation, featuring an improved entry drive and parking lot with better accessibility and connectivity to the hiking trail network.

A Clean Ohio Conservation Fund grant helped pay for $155,000 of the project.

Overall, Rogers says that the year was a success, helping them achieve their goal of enhancing the parks.

“When we have a drive improvement project, or parking lots or trails, or managing stormwater in a different way, those impacts show to all of our park patrons [and] all of our park users and create a better, safer experience,” said Rogers.

 

Read the original article at WFMJ.

Seasonal Festivities at Riverside Gardens, Lanterman’s Mill

/in /by

“Frost & Lights: A Festive Holiday at the Gardens” will open Sunday at D.D. and Velma Davis Visitor Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

The family-friendly, admission-free celebration features twinkling lights, festive displays and cheerful activities for all ages.

This year’s Festival of Trees will showcase 90 uniquely decorated trees created by local nonprofit organizations. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal floral displays, shop for unique gifts at the Shop in the Gardens and purchase refreshments.

The Festival of Trees is open daily Dec. 7 to Jan. 4. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

The attraction is closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1.

On select Saturday and Sunday evenings –  Dec. 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 – Fellows Riverside Gardens will present Winter Nights, a free outdoor light experience from 5-7 p.m. Guests can step inside Davis Center for the Festival of Trees display and special character appearances from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Here is the schedule of guest characters:

  • Elsa and Olaf: Dec. 7.
  • Santa and the Grinch: Dec. 14.
  • Bluey and Bingo: Dec. 21.

More than 35 vendors will fill Davis Center for Festive Finds, offering last-minute gifts, handmade items and seasonal treats. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 13-14.

Holiday Nights will take place from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 13-14 at Lanterman’s Mill. The historic property will be adorned with garland and Christmas trees as holiday music plays and Santa Claus visits. The mill gift shop will be open for last-minute holiday shopping, and hot chocolate and popcorn will be available for purchase.

For more information about these holiday events, go to MillCreekMetroParks.org.

 

Read the original article at The Business Journal.

New Mill Creek Metro Park Commissioners announced after month-long search

/in /by

After a month of sifting through over 20 applications, the newest Mill Creek Metro Park Commissioners have been announced.

Probate Judge Robert Rusu Jr. said in a statement that he has selected Jim Houck and Katharine Paul to fill Germaine Bennett and Tom Frost’s former commissioner roles in Mill Creek. Ahead of Rusu’s announcement, a six-member selection committee considered the applicants and ultimately recommended Houck and Paul for the open positions.

Houck owns the Youngstown-based marketing and public relations firm, Houck Agency. He has served in roles at Fellows Riverside Gardens and within Potential Development School for Students with Autism. An educator in Youngstown City Schools, Paul has also worked as a volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank and on the Mill Creek Park Educational Committee.

“I believe that they will be able to quickly add depth and their unique talents to the current park board and continue to move the park in a positive direction for future generations,” Rusu said in a statement.

The new commissioners are set to take the oath of office in December and will assume the duties of office at a January 12, 2026 park board meeting. Houck and Paul will serve as park commissioners within Mill Creek Metro Park for three years.

 

Read the original article at WFMJ.

2 new commissioners appointed to Mill Creek MetroParks board

/in /by

Probate Judge Robert N. Rusu has just announced his selection of the two people to fill the upcoming vacancies on the Mill Creek MetroParks Board of Commissioners.

Come the end of the month, park commissioners Germaine Bennett and Tom Frost have decided not to be reappointed with the expiration of their term. Filling their seats will be Jim Houck and Katharine Paull, according to a Tuesday press release from Judge Rusu.

“Both Mr. Houck and Mrs. Paull have extensive ties to the community and with the park. I believe that they will be able to quickly add depth and their unique talents to the current park board and continue to move the park in a positive direction for future generations,” Rusu stated.

Houck is the owner of Houck Agency, a local marketing and public relations firm based in Youngstown. He is a graduate from The Ohio State University with a journalism degree and previously served as a board member of Friends of Fellows Riverside Garden Inc. In addition, he currently serves as treasurer for Potential Development School for Students with Autism.

Paull is a Youngstown State graduate with a master’s degree in education and was a longtime educator in the Youngstown City Schools. In addition to her volunteering at local charities such as Second Harvest Food Bank and Boy Scouts of America, she was also a volunteer on the Mill Creek Park Educational Committee.

Rusu was supported by a six-member selection committee that analyzed the 21 applications submitted for the positions before recommending Houck and Paull.

The two new park commissioners will be given the oath of office by Judge Rusu this month and will assume the duties of office at the park board meeting on Jan. 12, 2026. They will serve three-year terms.

 

Read the original article at WKBN.