The Natural Resources Citizens Advisory Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will meet on Monday, February 24, 2020, at 5 p.m. in Classroom A at the MetroParks Farm in Canfield.
The annual Nature Photography Exhibit returns to the Weller Gallery! The skills of amateur photographers will be readily apparent as you stroll through the Weller Gallery located in the Davis Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Enjoy the beauty and color of nature – indoors! View landscapes, wild animals, Mill Creek MetroParks scenes and more through the lens of talented photographers.
This free exhibit will be displayed February 15 – April 12, 2020 during normal operating hours of Tuesdays – Sundays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., closed Mondays. A Meet the Photographers session will take place on Sunday, February 23, 2020 from 1 – 3 pm in the Weller Gallery at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Take this opportunity to meet and visit with talented, amateur photographers.
For more information on this exhibit and/or the Meet the Photographers session, visit or call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330.740.7116.
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, February 10, 2020, at 6 p.m. in McMahon Hall, at the MetroParks Farm, on Rt. 46 in Canfield. The agenda will be available on the website after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
Mill Creek MetroParks will be hosting the Jewels of Winter, a wonderful celebration and display of orchids at Fellows Riverside Gardens during their normal hours of operation January 28 – March 1, 2020. This year’s theme will showcase orchids as highly sought after Victorian era jewels. At one time, orchids were so rare in cultivation that only the wealthiest individuals could partake in their splendor. Now hundreds of beautiful orchids will be on display throughout the D.D. and Velma Davis Center for all to enjoy! Bring your camera, as there will be a kaleidoscope of flowers to photograph.
Fellows Riverside Gardens is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information, please call 330.740.7116 or visit millcreekmetroparks.org.
Mill Creek MetroParks is announcing the temporary closure of the Ford Nature Center beginning Saturday, February 1, 2020. The closure marks the official start to the Ford Nature Center Redevelopment Project. In total, the project is expected to take up to twenty-four months to complete with an anticipated reopening schedule of Spring/Summer 2022. “We are thrilled to be able to announce the start of such a highly anticipated, and critically needed project,” says Aaron Young, Executive Director of Mill Creek MetroParks.
The Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation first launched the capital campaign for the redevelopment of the Ford Nature Center in July 2018. Since that time, the Foundation has raised $2,530,262 towards its $3 million goal and received a signature gift in the form of a $1 million matching challenge grant from the Sand Hill Foundation of Menlo Park, California. Once complete, the project will allow the Ford Nature Center to continue serving the community as a primary resource for nature based education through the use of 21st century classrooms, learning labs, exhibits and outdoor environment. “We appreciate the support the community has provided through the campaign and look forward to the successful completion of the project,” says Aaron Young, Executive Director of Mill Creek MetroParks.
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, January 13, 2020, at 6 p.m. in McMahon Hall, at the MetroParks Farm, on Rt. 46 in Canfield. The agenda will be available on the website after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
Mill Creek MetroParks is soliciting public comment for an upcoming bridge improvement project. The proposed project involves improvements to the Old Orchard Bridge located on Chestnut Hill Drive, in Mill Creek Park approximately 0.25-miles north of Canfield Road (US-62). Proposed project activities consist of furnishing labor, materials, and equipment necessary to resurface the asphalt concrete pavement over the bridge (~300’), seal/waterproof the bridge decking, repair/improve the concrete walks and timber railings, perform stone masonry repair (tuck-pointing), cleaning, and all other tasks incidental to completion of this project.
The project is scheduled to begin construction in the summer of 2020 with an estimated construction cost of $200,000. A significant portion (80%) of the projects funding will be provided by ODOT through Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds ($160,000). The MetroParks will provide the remaining 20% ($40,000) in match funds, as well as contribute professional engineering, contract management and construction project management/inspection services.
This project is expected to be complete in approximately sixty (60) days. During construction, the Old Orchard Bridge will be closed to all pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle traffic for a maximum of (45) days. A detour route will be provided for vehicular traffic. Construction schedule, bridge closure, and detour information will be posted near the Old Orchard Bridge project site, and on the Mill Creek MetroParks website (www.millcreekmetroparks.org) prior to the start of construction. Access to Chestnut Hill Pavilion and all other MetroParks facilities will be maintained at all times throughout the project.
To ensure the proposed project is viable and successful, Mill Creek MetroParks is seeking comments from the public about the social, environmental, and economic impacts of this proposed project. Environmental impacts include those involving archaeological, architectural and ecological resources, regulated materials and the general location of the project. ODOT also requests information regarding the presence of any known cultural resources in the vicinity of the project including prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, historic bridges, historic buildings, landmarks and districts. Any comments you may have regarding the environmental and/or the proposed project may be submitted by Friday, January 17, 2020.
All public comments, questions and/or concerns about the project are welcomed, and should be directed to:
Mill Creek MetroParks
Re: Nick Derico, Natural Resources Steward
7574 Columbiana-Canfield Rd.
Canfield, Ohio 44406
Phone: 330.702.3000 x 136
Fax: 330.702.3010
Mill Creek MetroParks is soliciting public comment for an upcoming drive improvement project. The proposed project involves improvements to the southern section of East Newport Drive totaling 0.86-miles (Shields Road to Kreider’s Entrance) and a portion of Valley Drive totaling 0.38-miles (East Park Drive to the Suspension Bridge), both of which are located within Mill Creek Park. The proposed project activities include pavement planing, roadway resurfacing, shoulder restoration, and the reapplication of pavement markings.
The project is scheduled to begin construction in the summer of 2020 with an estimated construction cost of approximately $297,418. A significant portion of the project funding ($123,316) will be provided by the ODOT – Park District Improvement Fund (2020-2021 Biennium). The MetroParks will provide the remaining $174,102 in match funds, as well as contribute professional engineering, contract management and construction project management/inspection services.
During construction, portions of both East Newport and Valley Drive will be closed to all pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic. A detour route will be provided for vehicular traffic. Construction schedule, parking lot closures, and detour information will be posted along both drives and on the Mill Creek MetroParks website (www.millcreekmetroparks.org) prior to the start of construction. Access to the Flats parking lot, the East Newport Drive Picnic Area, and the Kreider’s Entrance parking lot will be closed to all pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic throughout the duration of the project.
To ensure the proposed project is viable and successful, Mill Creek MetroParks is seeking comments from the public about the social, environmental, and economic impacts of this proposed project. Environmental impacts include those involving archaeological, architectural and ecological resources, regulated materials and the general location of the project. ODOT also requests information regarding the presence of any known cultural resources in the vicinity of the project including prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, historic bridges, historic buildings, landmarks and districts. Any comments you may have regarding the environmental and/or the proposed project may be submitted by Friday, January 17, 2020.
All public comments, questions and/or concerns about the project are welcomed, and should be directed to:
Mill Creek MetroParks
Re: Nick Derico, Natural Resources Steward
7574 Columbiana-Canfield Rd.
Canfield, Ohio 44406
Phone: 330.702.3000 x 136
Fax: 330.702.3010
The Environment Standing Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks will meet on Friday, December 20, 2019, at 2:00 pm, in Classroom A, at the MetroParks Farm.
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, December 16, 2019, at 6 p.m. in the Rossi Auditorium at Fellows Riverside Gardens, in Youngstown. The agenda will be available on the website after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting. A meeting of the Public Records Commission will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the same location.