The Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation has bestowed the Volney Rogers Legacy Award upon two benefactors of the Foundation, David Sabine and Sand Hill Foundation. The award, which was created in 2006, is reserved for those who show a sincere dedication to the MetroParks and its programs.

David Sabine, Senior Vice President and Senior Trust Officer at Huntington National Bank, is being honored for his long-time support and dedication to Mill Creek MetroParks and the Foundation. Mr. Sabine has played an instrumental role in the restoration and preservation of Lanterman’s Mill, as well as the spearheading of the fundraising efforts for the creation of the Beecher Finnegan Education Building that is be part of the current Ford Nature Center Redevelopment Project. “I’m very honored to receive the Volney Rogers Award. I love the park, its the treasure but also represents the sacrifice and energy and devotion Volney Rogers had to create this park. It is our duty to continue that commitment to make sure the park continues to grow and to bring the benefits to the community as it has for this 100 years,” says Sabine.

The Sand Hill Foundation, a private family foundation located in Menlo Park, California, provides philanthropic support for promising and proven non-profit organizations working to alleviate poverty, strengthen families and preserve the natural environment with a primary focus in the San Francisco Bay Area Peninsula. The Sand Hill Foundation, established in 1995, has been active with gifts to the Ford Nature Center Endowment Fund and being the Naming Sponsor for the Ford Nature Center Redevelopment Project in 2018. Representatives from The Sand Hill Foundation were unable to travel due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

This year’s award presentation coincides with the 100 Year Anniversary of the dedication of the Volney Rogers Memorial Statue, located at the Memorial Entrance of Mill Creek Park at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Memorial Hill Drive. Rogers, who established Mill Creek Park in 1891, passed away on December 3, 1919. The bronze statute, sculpted on his likeness was unveiled on October 12, 1920 before a large crowd of dignitaries, honored guests and school children from the area that raised funds needed to erect the statue.

In tribute to the centennial of the statue’s dedication, the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation commissioned Freshmade3D, housed at the Youngstown Business Incubator to create a scaled replica of the statue for the award. “What makes the award so special is that it utilizes cutting-edge 3D printing technology from right here in Youngstown to pay homage to Volney Rogers and an event that took place a century ago,” says Chris Litton, Development Director for Mill Creek MetroParks.

The Natural Resources Citizens Advisory Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will meet on Thursday, October 1, 2020, at 12:30 p.m. While in-person attendance is not permitted due to COVID-19, the meeting can be viewed via Facebook Live on the Mill Creek MetroParks Facebook page.

The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, September 21, 2020, at 6 p.m. While in-person attendance is not permitted due to COVID-19, the meeting can be viewed via Facebook Live on the Mill Creek MetroParks Facebook page. The agenda will be available on the website after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

The YSU Army ROTC will be performing training exercises on Thursdays from August 27 – November 19, 2020 at the McGuffey Wildlife Preserve in Coitsville Township. On each Thursday, training will begin at approximately 2:00 p.m. and conclude at approximately 6:00 p.m. Members will be in uniform and government vans will be on site.

 

In the event of inclement weather, the training could be delayed and adjusted accordingly.

A two-mile section of the MetroParks Bikeway is scheduled to temporarily close for a pavement repair and asphalt resurfacing project. Beginning Monday, August 10, the section of Bikeway in Canfield Township between SR 446 and Herbert Road will be closed to all traffic. Additionally, bikeway spur trails at the MetroParks Farm, Canfield High School, and Preserve neighborhood will be closed throughout the project.  While the project is anticipated to be completed within approximately one week, scheduling may be adjusted if inclement weather delays the start or completion of the project.

The project is designed to address poor pavement conditions by repairing cracks, planing and excavating uneven pavement, and installing a new course of asphalt pavement.

Access to the Bikeway from SR 446, Lisbon Road (Rte. 62), Railroad Street, Main Street (US 224), Herbert Road, and the spur trails at the MetroParks Farm, Canfield High School, and Preserve neighborhood, will be prohibited during the project .