OUTSIDE MEDIA COVERAGE OF MILL CREEK METROPARKS

Algae on Mill Creek Park lakes to be tested to see if it’s harmful

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A large part of Mill Creek Park’s Lake Newport remains covered with thick green algae Wednesday night. Park officials say it’s a direct result of the warm, dry conditions we’ve had the past several weeks.

An algal bloom covered about 20 percent of Lake Newport on Tuesday, confined to an area right up against the dam.

On Wednesday, the algae had broken up. Most of it shifted to one side and now it extends the entire length of Lake Newport.

It’s so thick, it looks like a green covering.

The next step is to have it tested to see if it’s harmful.

“We don’t know whether or not that bright green algae is classified as a harmful algal bloom,” said Mill Creek Park Director Aaron Young.

Ryan Tekac, with the Mahoning County Health Department, said he was notified of the issue on Tuesday.

Both Young and Tekac have been in contact with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

“At this point, they recommend doing testing,” Tekac said.

The testing could take place on Thursday. It’ll take about two days to get the results, then they’ll decide what — if anything — should be done.

“Not all algal blooms are considered harmful,” Tekac said.

If it turns out to be harmful, the water will need more testing.

Tekac said the algae is a direct result of the recent high temperatures and lack of rain.

Wednesday was the 12th straight day with temperatures above 80 degrees in Youngstown. On Tuesday, it had been 12 days without rain.

“The level that is there now is certainly indicative of the climate conditions that we’ve been experiencing, which is weeks of high temperature and little rainfall,” Young said.

On Wednesday, there were some areas of open water on Lake Newport, which is not totally covered with the algal bloom.

It’s recommended that canoeists and kayakers stay off the lake.

“We’re not going to close them. If they’re adamant about getting in there and recreating, you can still do that at Newport,” Young said. “The algae’s not over the entire surface area but I don’t know how enjoyable it would be paddling within it.”

Lake Cohasset had some spots of algae but none was visible on Lake Glacier. Just to be safe, Young is going to have Glacier tested anyway.

View the full article at wkbn.com

Warm weather and drought sparks algae blooms in Mill Creek MetroPark

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Algae bloom in Lake Newport in Mill Creek MetroPark is covering between 20 and 25 percent of the lake.

Officials from the Mahoning County District Board of Health said MetroParks officials noticed the significant growth Tuesday. 

The spark in blooms is most likely because of the warm weather and drought across the Valley.

It’s been 13 days since measurable rain has been recorded in the area.  

The Environmental Protection Agency has been notified.

MetroParks officials will be doing further testing to see if the algae is dangerous. 

Lake Glacier in the park has also shown signs of algae growth. 

Officials said people need to be aware of the blooms, and if they notice something unusual, to stay away from it until further testing is done. 

Wednesday, Senator Rob Portman announced the Senate passed bipartisan legislation, he helped author, called the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (HABHRCA).

Senator Portman worked with Florida Senator Bill Nelson to reauthorize the program in 2014 and negotiated a Great Lakes section that has ensured federal agencies prioritize monitoring and mitigation efforts in freshwater bodies such as Lake Erie.  

“This legislation takes critical steps toward protecting Lake Erie and other freshwater bodies throughout Ohio and the nation from toxic algae.  It is important that these water bodies are protected, as they supply drinking water to millions of Ohioans and are critical for Ohio’s tourism and fishing industries,” said Portman.

View the full article at wfmj.com

Mill Creek Golf Course bunker restoration project to begin

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The Mill Creek Golf Course Bunker Restoration Capital Improvement Project is set to begin this week on the South Course. 

The project will include the restoration of 36 bunkers and additional drainage work. 

The South Course will be open for play during the restoration process but may be limited to nine hole play on a few of the days during the restoration process. 

However, the North Course and Practice Facility will remain open for normal play and tee times. 

Golf Preservations Inc. was awarded the project on September 18, 2017.

View the full article at wfmj.com

Mill Creek takes patrons on tour through park

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Mill Creek Metroparks offered a trolley ride through different areas of Mill Creek Park to the public on Aug. 25.

Tour guide Lynn Zocolo gave those on the tour interesting facts about the park as the trolley traveled from area to area. The tour started at Fellows Riverside Garden, looped around the park and ended back at the garden. Mill Creek designed the tour as a way for members of the park to notice the changes in season near the end of summer.

The tour started at the garden, headed to Lake Cohasset, in front of the Wall Garden, into the Lily Pond area, by the Birch Hill Cabin, around Pioneer Pavilion’s lot, over the suspension bridge, near Lanterman’s Mill, past Cascade Falls and entered the drive way leading to Judge Morley Pavilion’s parking lot before looping back around.

Zocolo opened the trolley ride with some trivia about the general history of the park. Her first couple of questions revolved around Fellows Riverside Garden since the tour began there. For example, Elizabeth Fellows donated the land to Mill Creek park in 1958 to create a community garden. Then, her trivia dealt with Volney Rogers, the park’s founder.

The trivia became about each area the trolley passed rather than the general history of the park. For instance, while at the Lily Pond, Zocolo explained where the Lily Pond’s nickname, “The Goldfish Pond,“ originated. According to the story, a police officer donated five goldfish to Volney Rogers for the newly opened pond.

The trolley ride provided beautiful sights for the riders. Zocolo showed the tour group notable nature points in the park, but occasionally, the trolley stopped for unplanned sights, such as a couple deer running through the woods and to look at the oldest continually lived in house in Youngstown, which resides next to the park. The group saw other wildlife on the tour as well, including squirrels and a heron.

Other information and history about Mill Creek can be found on their website, millcreekmetroparks.org, or on Zocolo’s other tours. She plans to host tours more often in 2018.

 

View the full article at vindy.com

Colorful leaves signal more than change of season

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We are beginning to see some color in the leaves around the area, but peak season for fall foliage is a few weeks away.

Lynn Zocolo with Mill Creek MetroParks said some leaves are now starting to turn from green to brilliant reds and yellows and other colors, especially further north towards Lake Erie.

Some of the early color is due to environmental stresses trees endured over the course of the summer.

“We had many hot days in a row. We had rain here and there. We had a lot of rain and then a little rain. It was inconsistent, so I think some of the changes we’re starting to see right now are coming from plants and trees that are stressed out. They are reacting to protect themselves,” Zocolo said.

The “near-peak” and “peak” periods for foliage locally should be around the October 1, a little sooner closer to the lake and later further to the south.

View the full article at wkbn.com

Days and times set for upcoming Mill Creek MetroParks standing committee meetings

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The nature education standing committee to the Mill Creek MetroParks board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The finance standing committee will meet at 10 a.m. next Saturday.

The wildlife standing committee will meet at 2 p.m. Sept. 19; the community engagement standing committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 22; and the development standing committee will meet at 4 p.m. Sept. 22.

All meetings take place in Classroom A at the MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road.

 

View the full article at vindy.com

Improvements to Volney Rogers Field officially complete

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As part of the MetroParks’ improvement initiative, Mill Creek MetroParks has announced the completion of improvements made at Volney Rogers Field.

The primary improvement made to the field was a resurfacing of the tennis and basketball courts.

This was completed by Penn-Ohio Sealing and contains a new asphalt overlay, an acrylic playing surface and court lines on six tennis courts and one basketball court.

Two pickleball courts have been added to the tennis courts to address the demand for the sport.

The basketball hoop backboards, rims, and hardware have been replaced, along with the tennis backstop.

A new section of asphalt trail accessing the basketball courts has been constructed.

The cost of the overall project was approximately $110,000.

The facility is now open for play.

 

View the full article at wfmj.com.

Green Cathedral Race set to run Sunday

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Mill Creek Metroparks will host the fifth annual Green Cathedral race Sunday. The race will begin and end in the Wick Recreation Area at 1861 McCollum Road.

The Kids Fun Run begins at 8 a.m.; the half-marathon begins at 8:30; and the 5K Run/Walk begins at 8:45 a.m.

This event is open to all ages and abilities, and awards will be given according to age groups. The Kids Fun Run is free, and children will receive participation awards.

Early-bird registration was Aug. 27. the half-marathon is now $40. The 5K Run/Walk is now $30.

The Green Cathedral Race is sponsored by 21 WFMJ/WBCB, and all proceeds will benefit the Juliana Kurinka children’s play area at the Wick Recreational Area.

For information and to register, visit www.millcreekmetroparks.org or runsignup.com.

View the full article at vindy.com

Metro Digest

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Mill Creek MetroParks will host the 5th annual Green Cathedral race Sept. 10. The race will begin and end in the Wick Recreation Area at 1861 McCollum Road.

A kids fun run, half-marathon and 5K run/walk begin at 8, 8:30 and 8:45 a.m., respectively.

The kids run is free. Early-bird registration (through today) for the half marathon is $35. Through race day, the cost is $40. The 5K registration fee is $25 early bird and $30 through race day.

Race proceeds benefit the children’s play area at Wick. For more information, visit www.millcreekmetroparks.org or runsignup.com.

 

View the full article at vindy.com

Warning issued after coyote attacks dog in Mill Creek Park

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Police with Mill Creek MetroParks are on alert after a woman reported her dog was fighting with what sounded like a coyote on a popular walking trail Wednesday morning.

According to MetroParks Police Chief Jim Willock, the woman was walking her dog about 7:30 a.m. near the Scholl Recreation area when her quiet walk turned frantic. He said the woman’s dog got off its leash and started chasing something. The woman then heard it fighting another animal and called 911.

“When officers arrived, they heard what they believed to be a coyote,” Willock said. “She was pretty upset. Our officers were able to locate her dog, get her dog back to her and get her to her dog.”

The woman’s dog was not hurt in the scuffle. Officers searched for the coyote but didn’t find it.

“We did a pretty good search for it this morning,” Willock confirmed. “No one was able to locate the animal. It’s just… you gotta be careful. The park is a wild place. The park is meant to be that way.”

While your chances are slim to encounter a dangerous wild animal, it’s possible. Wildlife expert Jamey Emmert with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources said instances of what they call “conflict” with the animals is growing.

“Coyotes are very comfortable in urban parks and suburban parks,’ Emmert said. “Some coyotes might run and some might not. Often times, domestic dogs are instigating a conflict between the coyotes and dogs.”

Experts often urge people to ignore wildlife roaming through neighborhoods and they will just walk away, but Emmert said coyotes are different and need to be treated differently, suggesting people dowse them with water or pepper spray or make loud noises to scare them.

“Anything that is obnoxious and loud is going to scare an animal away and make it feel unwelcome,” Emmert said. “The number one thing is to not allow that animal to become habituated.”

A COYOTE IS IN YOUR BACKYARD. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Willock said since he took over in 2009, this is the first time a coyote has been reported in the main section of Mill Creek Park. He said they are spotted on the bike trails occasionally, but it is no cause for panic.

“I don’t want to alarm people,” Chief Willock continued. “I don’t want people to be concerned. But if you carry something like pepper spray, and spray it in the general direction of the animal — trust me — they have a much stronger sense of smell than we do.”

Police don’t know if the dog was off the leash when it ran across the animal, or if the woman dropped the leash when the dog spotted it. But either way, keep a close eye on pets out walking, and don’t let them out of sight.

“All animals should be on the leash in the park,” Chief Willock cautioned. “There’s a rule that all animals are leashed in the park. Yes, you need to keep them on that. And the leashes need to be a certain length. We have people biking and things like that. If you have one of those long leashes, it could cause an accident with a biker or runner or something like that.”

 

View the full article at wkbn.com