Temporary Closures in Mill Creek Park for the Youngstown Peace Race

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Mill Creek MetroParks is proud to once again host a portion of the 52ndAnnual Youngstown Peace Race on Sunday, October 18, 2026. In order to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for runners and spectators, the following will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic, cyclists, pedestrians, and the public from approximately 6:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.:

  • East Glacier Drive
  • Memorial Hill Drive
  • Robinson Hill Drive
  • Bears Den Drive
  • Cross Drive
  • New Cross Drive
  • Birch Hill Drive (past the Lily Pond)
  • West Park Drive
  • West Cohasset Drive
  • Old Furnace Road (at the West Park and West Cohasset Drive Intersection)
  • High Drive
  • Valley Drive
  • East Park Drive
  • Chestnut Hill Drive
  • West Newport Drive
  • Old Mill Drive
  • East Newport Drive
  • Kreider’s Entrance
  • East Cohasset Hike & Bike Trail
  • Lanterman’s Mill

During the race, access to Ford Nature Center will be available only via Volney Road from Glenwood Avenue.

MetroParks Bikeway Section to Temporarily Close for Cross Country Event

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A section of the MetroParks Bikeway will be temporarily closed to the general public on Saturday, October 17, 2026 as the Gorby Family Championship Cross Country Course at the MetroParks Farm hosts the 2026 Clipper Invitational Cross Country Meet.

Beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, the section of the MetroParks Bikeway between U.S. 446 and Leffingwell Road, along with the Farm Spur Trail, will be closed to bikeway and trail users. Bikeway users are encouraged to avoid parking at the MetroParks Farm and to access the Bikeway at other trailhead and spur trail locations during the temporary closure.

The Bikeway and Farm Spur Trail will reopen Saturday afternoon (approximately at 1:30 p.m.) upon completion of the cross-country event.

Portion of East Gorge Trail to Close for Trail Improvements

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Beginning Monday, October 12, 2026, a portion of the East Gorge Trail in Mill Creek Park will close to allow for trail improvement work.

The project will include construction of new boardwalk sections, installation of an aggregate trail surface and other related improvements designed to enhance the trail.

The existing East Gorge Boardwalk will remain open during construction. The trail will be closed beyond the end of the existing boardwalk to Valley Drive.

The project is expected to take approximately three weeks to complete, weather permitting.

Visitors are asked to observe posted closure signs and avoid the closed portion of the trail while work is underway.

Mill Creek MetroParks to Host Cross Country Event on September 26

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Mill Creek MetroParks will host the Youngstown State University Invitational Cross Country Meet on The Gorby Family Championship Cross Country Course at the MetroParks Farm on Saturday, September 26, 2026. This exciting event will bring athletes, families, and supporters together for a day of outdoor activity and healthy competition.

To ensure the safety of participants and spectators, several MetroParks Farm facilities will be temporarily closed from dawn until mid-afternoon on the day of the event. These include:

  • Education Building
  • MetroParks Bikeway (closed between Leffingwell Road and Route 446)
  • MetroParks Farm Parking Lot
  • MetroParks Farm Bikeway Spur Trail
  • Disc Golf Courses
  • Mindy Henning Hiking Trail
  • Animal Barns
  • Archery Range
  • Natural Playground
  • Recycling Area

Parking lot access will be maintained for cross-country event personnel and spectators.

All facilities will reopen to the public in the afternoon following the conclusion of the event. Mill Creek MetroParks thanks visitors for their cooperation and encourages the community to come cheer on the athletes or plan their visit for later in the day.

New Location for Annual Pumpkin Walk at Twilight and Pumpkin Carving

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Mill Creek MetroParks is announcing this year’s annual Pumpkin Walk at Twilight and Pumpkin Carving events have been moved to Wick Recreation Area, 1861 McCollum Road, Youngstown, due to construction around Fellows Riverside Gardens. Please note, Wick Recreation Area is a Mill Creek MetroParks facility and is not Wick Park.

The annual fall tradition will continue with two family-friendly events designed to bring the community together and celebrate the season.

Pumpkin Carving – Friday, October 9, 2026

9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Wick Recreation Area
1861 McCollum Road, Youngstown

Help light up this year’s Pumpkin Walk at Twilight! Community members are invited to participate in the annual pumpkin carving event and help create the pumpkins that will brighten Pumpkin Walk. Pumpkins and carving tools will be available, or participants are welcome to bring their own. Participants should meet behind the Dek Hockey Rink at Wick Recreation Area. Pumpkin Carving is free and open to everyone, including groups, with no registration required.

Pumpkin Walk at Twilight – Sunday, October 11, 2026

4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Wick Recreation Area
1861 McCollum Road, Youngstown

Experience the magic of fall at Mill Creek MetroParks’ Pumpkin Walk at Twilight. As the sun sets and the moon rises, visitors can stroll along glowing, pumpkin-lined pathways and enjoy an evening filled with family fun. Guests won’t want to miss the GLOW Party and Costume Contest! Children ages 12 and under are encouraged to dress in their favorite non-scary Halloween costumes and join the fun. Costume contest categories include Best Makeup, Most Creative, Cutest, Funniest, and Best Overall. Refreshments will be available for purchase from various food vendors, along with exclusive Mill Creek MetroParks event merchandise. Free parking is available on site. Enter via McCollum Road and exit via Bears Den Road. Additional overflow parking is available at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 356 S. Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown, OH 44509, with free trolley shuttle service provided to and from the event. Pumpkin Walk at Twilight is free and open to everyone, with no registration required.

Pets are not permitted at either event. For more information, contact Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107 or visit www.millcreekmetroparks.org.

MetroParks Bikeway Section to Temporarily Close for the Suburban League Championship Cross Country Meet

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A section of the MetroParks Bikeway will be temporarily closed to the general public on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 as the Gorby Family Championship Cross Country Course at the MetroParks Farm hosts the 2026 Suburban League Championship Cross Country Meet.

Beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, the section of the MetroParks Bikeway that runs through the MetroParks Farm between U.S. 446 and Leffingwell Road, along with the Farm Spur Trail, will be closed to bikeway and trail users.

The MetroParks Bikeway and Farm Spur Trail will reopen Tuesday evening upon completion of the cross country event at approximately 8:00 p.m.

Bikeway users are encouraged to access the MetroParks Bikeway from other trailheads and spur trail locations and to avoid parking at the MetroParks Farm during the temporary closure.

MetroParks Bikeway Section to Temporarily Close for Cross Country Event

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A section of the MetroParks Bikeway will be temporarily closed to the general public on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 as the Gorby Family Championship Cross Country Course at the MetroParks Farm hosts a high school and middle school cross country event.

Beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, the section of the MetroParks Bikeway that runs through the MetroParks Farm between U.S. 446 and Leffingwell Road, along with the Farm Spur Trail, will be closed to bikeway and trail users.

The MetroParks Bikeway and Farm Spur Trail will reopen Tuesday evening upon completion of the cross country event.

Bikeway users are encouraged to access the MetroParks Bikeway at other trailhead and spur trail locations during the temporary closure. Visitors are also asked to avoid parking at the MetroParks Farm during the event.

Notice of Board of Park Commissioners September Board Meeting

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The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, September 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., in the Education Building – McMahon Hall, at the MetroParks Farm, on Rt. 46, in Canfield.

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.

Section of MetroParks Bikeway to Close for Improvements and Resurfacing

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Mill Creek MetroParks will temporarily close a section of the MetroParks Bikeway beginning Monday, September 14, 2026, to allow for improvements and resurfacing.

The MetroParks Bikeway will be closed from Silica Road to County Line Road as well as access to the Bikeway at Ohltown Road and Webb Road for the duration of the project.

The improvement project will help maintain and enhance the trail for future use and will include milling of the existing asphalt surface, installation of a new asphalt overlay, placement of topsoil along the shoulders, and installation of compacted aggregate along the shoulders.

Work is anticipated to be completed within one week, weather and site conditions permitting. Inclement weather or unforeseen conditions may delay the anticipated project schedule.

Notice of MetroParks Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting

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The Finance Citizens Advisory Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will meet on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 3:30 p.m., in the Education Building – Classroom A, at the MetroParks Farm, on Rt. 46, in Canfield.