Celebrating the Holiday Season in Mill Creek Park

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December 7, 2025 – January 4, 2026 — The D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens will welcome the community to Frost & Lights: A Festive Holiday at the Gardens, a family-friendly, admission-free celebration of the season. Guests are invited to experience the magic of the holidays with twinkling lights, festive displays, and cheerful activities for all ages.

Festival of Trees
This year’s Festival of Trees will showcase 90 uniquely decorated trees created by local nonprofit organizations, transforming the Davis Center into a vibrant holiday destination. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal floral displays, shop for unique gifts at the Shop in the Gardens, and purchase refreshments from various concessions.

Festival of Trees is open December 7, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Tuesday–Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturdays & Sundays: until 7 p.m.
Closed December 24, December 25, and January 1

 

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

Character schedule:

  • Elsa and Olaf – Sunday, December 7
  • Santa and The Grinch – Sunday, December 14
  • Bluey and Bingo – Sunday, December 21

 

Festive Finds
Over 35 local vendors will fill the Davis Center for Festive Finds, offering last-minute gifts, handmade items, and seasonal treats. Festive Finds will be held Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, from 10 a.m.– 7 p.m.

Holiday Nights at Lanterman’s Mill
For one weekend only, visitors can enjoy a special nighttime experience at Lanterman’s Mill, beautifully adorned with garland, Christmas trees, holiday music, and a visit from Santa. Holiday Nights will take place Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 5–7 p.m. 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, please visit millcreekmetroparks.org.

Seasonal Road Closures in Mill Creek Park

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Effective Monday, December 1, 2025, several roads within Mill Creek Park will close to vehicular traffic for the winter season:

  • High Drive (between Chestnut Hill Drive and West Cohasset Drive)
  • Chestnut Hill Drive (between Canfield Road and High Drive)
  • Calvary Run Drive (between Belle Vista Avenue and Milton Avenue)

During the seasonal closure, these roads remain open for recreational use, including hiking, cross-country skiing, and sledding. In addition to creating unique winter recreation opportunities, these closures provide important operational and environmental benefits, such as reducing snow and ice removal costs and minimizing the environmental impact of deicing salt.

All roads will reopen in the spring as weather and conditions allow.

Winter driving can be challenging as snow and ice create slippery surfaces. Roads with limited shoulders, steep grades, and a lack of guardrails can become particularly hazardous. Mill Creek MetroParks encourages all motorists to use caution when traveling on MetroParks roadways during winter months.

Slippery Rock Bridge Rehabilitation within Mill Creek Park – ODOT Project No. MAH-Slippery Rock Bridge Rehab; PID 122895

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Mill Creek MetroParks, in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), is planning the rehabilitation of the Slippery Rock Bridge on West Glacier Drive within Mill Creek Park, Mahoning County. The project will address deterioration of the existing structure through deck repairs, substructure patching, and the replacement of approach slabs, guardrail, and approach pavement. No widening or realignment is planned.

The $480,000 project is scheduled to begin construction in spring 2026 and is expected to be completed by fall 2026.

During construction, the Slippery Rock Bridge and a section of roadway between West Glacier Drive/West Drive and Robinson Hill Drive/Memorial Hill Drive will be closed to all park users—vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists—for up to 90 days. A detour will direct park users to Old Furnace Road, located 0.5 miles south of the bridge. Detour signage will be posted along West Glacier Drive/West Drive and Robinson Hill Drive/Memorial Hill Drive, and updated project information will be made available on the Mill Creek MetroParks website prior to the start of construction.

The Mill Creek Park Historic District is a protected resource under federal-aid transportation regulations. The proposed rehabilitation will preserve and, where possible, enhance the park’s historic and recreational features. While the project will require temporary access-related impacts, including minor work within Mill Creek and selective trimming of trees near the bridge, no adverse long-term effects to protected park resources are anticipated.

As part of the environmental review process, Mill Creek MetroParks is seeking public comments regarding potential social, environmental, and economic impacts of the proposed project. Feedback may address topics including the natural environment, nearby residents, local economic considerations, or historic and cultural resources.

Comments will be accepted through December 26, 2025, and may be sent via email or mail to:

Justin Rogers, RLA
Director of Planning & Operations
Mill Creek MetroParks
7574 Columbiana–Canfield Rd.
Canfield, OH 44406
Email: JRogers@MillCreekMetroParks.org

Christmas at the Mill returns to Lanterman’s Mill November 29, 30

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A longtime holiday tradition is returning to Lanterman’s Mill in Mill Creek Park.

Christmas at the Mill will return to Lanterman’s Mill Saturday, November 29 and Sunday, November 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days. The event is free and open to the public.

Guests can experience the historic mill, decorated in traditional holiday decor, and enjoy chestnuts, festive entertainment, and handcrafted holiday gifts. There will also be holiday concession stand treats available for purchase.

Additionally, Santa Claus will make a special appearance on Sunday, November 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m..

Guests are encouraged to bring a new hat, scarf or pair of mittens to decorate the “Giving Tree.” All items collected will be donated to local children and adults in need this winter season.
Read the original article at WFMJ.

Mill Creek MetroParks Announces Holiday Weekend Events

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The holiday weekend begins on Friday, November 28, 2025, with the Black Friday Sale at the Mill Creek Golf Course Golf Shop, open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Shoppers are encouraged to visit the Golf Shop to take advantage of seasonal discounts and find the perfect gift for the golfer on their list.

Festivities continue with Christmas at the Mill on Saturday, November 29, and Sunday, November 30, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Lanterman’s Mill. Visitors will experience the historic mill decorated in traditional holiday décor for this family-friendly, free admission event. Attendees can enjoy roasted chestnuts, festive entertainment, handcrafted holiday gifts, and concession stand treats for purchase. Santa Claus will make a special appearance on Sunday, November 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. In the spirit of giving, visitors are encouraged to bring a new hat, scarf, or pair of mittens to decorate the “Giving Tree.” Donated items will benefit local children and adults in need during the winter season.

For additional information about holiday events and programs within the MetroParks, please visit millcreekmetroparks.org.

Notice of November Board Meeting

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The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, November 10, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., in the Education Building – McMahon Hall, at the MetroParks Farm, on Rt. 46, in Canfield. The agenda will be available on the website after 2:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

As a reminder, all weapons are prohibited inside Mill Creek MetroParks facilities. All members of the public attending the meetings will be required to pass through a metal detection device as part of MetroParks safety procedures.

MetroParks Bikeway Improvements Scheduled for November 7

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Mill Creek MetroParks will be performing asphalt maintenance on a section of the MetroParks Bikeway on Friday, November 7, 2025. The maintenance work will take place between Herbert Road and Kirk Road to ensure a smooth and safe riding surface for all trail users.

During this time, the affected portion of the Bikeway will be temporarily closed for the duration of the project. The Kirk Road Trailhead will remain open for parking and continued access to other sections of the Bikeway.

This maintenance project is expected to be completed within one day, weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, work will be rescheduled to the next suitable day.

Notice of MetroParks Citizens Advisory Committee Meetings

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The Education Citizens Advisory Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will meet on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., in the Education Building – Classroom A, at Ford Nature Center, 840 Old Furnace Road, in Youngstown.

The Recreation Citizens Advisory Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will meet on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., at the Wick Recreation Center, located at the Wick Recreation Area, 1861 McCollum Road in Youngstown.

Temporary Mill Creek MetroParks Bikeway Closure in Canfield

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A section of the Mill Creek MetroParks Bikeway between West Main Street (US 224) and Herbert Road in the City of Canfield is scheduled to be closed on Thursday, October 23, 2025. In addition, spur trails connecting Canfield High School and The Preserve to the Bikeway will be inaccessible throughout the project.

Closure of this bikeway section is due to additional soil sampling to be conducted by August Mack Environmental, Inc., at various locations within and adjacent to Mill Creek MetroParks’ property. The soil samples are a continuation of the required testing and remediation response to the Material Sciences Corporation chemical spill and subsequent soil contamination.

Closure is anticipated to begin by 8:30am and extend into late afternoon. The Bikeway will be reopened upon completion of the project. Inclement weather conditions may alter the project schedule or delay reopening of the Bikeway.

Notice of MetroParks Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting

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The Natural Resources Citizens Advisory Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will meet on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., in the Education Building – Classroom A, located at the MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road in Canfield.