Weeks of warm to cool weather remain this season to enjoy the new disc golf course in Canfield.

The MetroParks Farm Disc Golf Course at the MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road in Canfield, is open and ready for amateurs and professionals alike.

There is a simple nine-basket course for “newbies” to learn the game, which has grown in popularity over the past decade, said Justin Rogers, planning manager for Mill Creek MetroParks. But for more-experienced players, or less-serious players who want to enjoy a hike through the wooded areas at the farm, the 18-basket “championship course” offers twists and turns through wooded areas and meadows, featuring ponds and fresh air, Rogers said.

The $25,000 course was 10 years in the making and partially funded with an Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant.

After finding a location and getting a grant, it took about a year to design and construct the course, Rogers said.

Rogers said he believes the course will attract clubs and teams of people who play the sport competitively and low-key recreators alike.

“Playing disc golf can be a very personalized experience. It can bring in people who are experienced and competitive, and bring people who are novices interested in it who haven’t played. Plus, the equipment isn’t expensive, and the course is free,” Rogers said. “It is good for children and families, too.”

Roger’s son, 6, made a “birdie” on the course, and it made the boy’s week, Rogers said.

The site was selected because restrooms already exist, along with parking areas and water fountains at the farm. And the course is diversifying the types of activities and people who will be tempted to visit the park, Rogers said. There are also animals, pond fishing, a rain garden and a hall for rent.

The bike way runs through the area. There is a natural playground, an archery range, special events and agricultural programs offered already at the farm, Roger said.

“We felt the area was void of this type of activity, and it is directly in line with our mission to provide recreational opportunities and educational ones,” Rogers said.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset.

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A new disc golf course opened Tuesday in Canfield.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the new MetroParks Farm Disc Golf Course located at 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road.

The course includes a 9-hole learn-to-play course and an 18-hole championship course.

“Maybe somebody that is older and advanced plays, and they want to bring their kids out, their grandkids out and introduce them to the game of disc golf. This is the perfect facility. It is obviously picturesque, and there is plenty of other things to do there at the farm,” said Justin Rogers, planning manager for Mill Creek MetroParks.

The disc golf project is part of the MetroParks’ five-year capital improvement plan.

The course was funded in part by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

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A few changes could be coming to Mill Creek MetroParks in the near future.

At a meeting Monday night, park commissioners heard two proposals regarding changing or refining two park rules.

One would allow for the public to climb rock faces at designated locations throughout Mill Creek Park. Currently, rock climbing is not allowed.

The second would clarify where and how personal electronic mobility devices such as scooters and golf carts could be used inside the park.

The proposals are in the early stages right now and it could be a while before any changes are implemented.

“You can even identify what speed they can be operated at. So it’s not a simple policy to write, which is why we’re taking our time and evaluating all options,” said Aaron Young, executive director of the Mill Creek Park District.

Park commissioners would also have to address insurance concerns before allowing rock climbing inside the park.

No rules were voted on at Monday’s meeting.

The next meeting is set for Oct. 16.

Full article at wkbn.com

Work on the eastbound lane of the turnpike near Kirk Road finished last week, and along with it, the structural work to the south-facing facade of a culvert for the Mill Creek MetroParks bike trail also was finished.

The $6.3 million project is funded through the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, which gets its income from tolls paid to use the 241-mile road, said turnpike spokesperson Brian Newbacher. The culvert replaces the turnpike bridge near Kirk Road, and makes way for an established section of the Mill Creek MetroParks bike trail, which is part of the larger Lake to River Western Reserve Greenway Bike Trail that runs from the Ohio River in East Liverpool to Lake Erie in Ashtabula.

“The turnpike contacted the MetroParks about the removal of the bridge,” said Mill Creek MetroParks Planning and Operations Director Stephen Avery. “They involved us from the beginning.”

He said the MetroParks and turnpike collaborated on the design and detail of the tunnel’s two identical concrete facades that when completed will resemble real rock like the kind used in structures at the Kirk Road trailhead.

Standing in front of the structurally complete facade under the eastbound turnpike traffic, Avery explained four colors of stain will give the concrete surface a natural rock look. He said a black keystone will be inlaid above the center of the tunnel, and in-set words reading “MetroParks Bikeway,” also will be inlaid with black to make them stand out.

Newbacher said although turnpike workers maintain all turnpike bridges, it was important to include the MetroParks in the design.

“We wanted to be a good neighbor and involve them in the project,” Newbacher said.

The turnpike commission also provided a paved, just more than a quarter-mile detour for MetroParks trail users. Avery said he believes part of the detour will remain in place when construction on the culvert is finished, mainly for turnpike maintenance. The part of the detour that connects to the bike trail will be torn up, he said.

A MetroParks counting device located several miles south of Kirk Road tallied about 83,000 trail users over the course of a year — averaging to about 227 per day. Avery said he believes the daily use of the Kirk Road trailhead is much higher than that number, as it is a popular place for cyclists and walkers to begin.

Newbacher said the culvert project has been part of the turnpike’s capital improvement project for the past two seasons.

“We looked at different options with that location because the bridge itself was becoming a problem for our maintenance crews, and this became the best option,” Newbacher said.

The move from bridge to culvert will mean less future maintenance on the structure and a long-term cost savings.

The project, which began in spring of last year, is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Full article at vindy.com

The Mill Creek Park hosted their first Nature Live event on Aug. 4 at the MetroParks Farms.

Education Manager Mandy Smith organized the event with the rest of the education team.

“We as a group decided to kind of combine forces and make it a little bit more nature oriented instead of just one animal or group of animals,” Smith said.

She explained that the event was usually a bug or reptile day, but that the parks decided to combine all of the events into one that focused on a wider range of animals.

Smith said that at the event a number of organizations were present to showcase their animals.

Bee keeper Don Kovach, Birds of Flight, representatives from the South Side Butterfly event, and Keith Gisser with Herpes Alive were all present at the event.

“We are just promoting education, conservation of nature, awareness and appreciation,” Smith said. “It’s just a day to come out and enjoy.”

The event featured a number of actives for children of all ages.

Smith said that there was a room dedicated to Pre-K children being able to play and explore different types of animals.

The event also featured a touch table where community members can feel different types of fur and animal skulls.

A number of reptiles were available for children to hold, and there was even a honey tasting table.

“Anyone can come in,” Smith said. “We just want everyone to come and learn something and enjoy the farm.”

As they entered children received an activity card.

Smith said that if they completed five of the eight available activities and mark them on the card they receive a naturalist diploma to take home.

The barns at the MetroParks Farms were also open for community members to explore on their visit.

Full article at vindy.com