The Natural Resources Citizens Advisory Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will meet on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. at Stitt Pavilion, located on West Golf Drive in Boardman.
It was a special day Saturday at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm as the public had the chance to see baby animals born this spring.
The popular family-fun event has in past years drawn as many as 5,000 visitors who get to see, feed and pet everything from baby pigs, goats, horses, rabbits and peacocks.
Lynn Zocolo, a 20-year educator at the farm, said the annual “baby shower” has been held in the spring since 1992 with a few recent years missed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are back open and have a variety of wonderful baby animals for our visitors to enjoy. This a free event for families. It makes your heart smile when you see the baby animals,” she said.
New this year are tractor and wagon rides around the property and also feeding the animals a small “baby snack” ice cream cone filled with grain for $1.
Zocolo said most of the babies are born in mid-April through May.
She said children like seeing the foal, calves, alpacas, pygmy goats and peacocks.
Helping at the event were 4-H students and Canfield Junior Fair members.
Zocolo said the farm, located across from the Canfield Fairgrounds, is open seven days a week all summer for visitors. Also twice a month in the summer will be tractor and wagon rides that will be 45 minutes around the property and to see the century barn off Leffingwell Road as well as poultry and horse barns.
“There have been some years we get as many as 4,000 to 5,000 people stopping during a four-hour time period,” Zocolo said.
Olivia Griffith of Austintown said her son, Zackary, 1, loves animals, especially horses and cows.
“He is so excited to see the animals, I used to come here when I was little when they held the baby shower event. This is his first time here. The whole family is here,” she said.
Griffith said Zackary’s second birthday will have a barnyard theme.
Frank Lanterman of Austintown, Zackary’s grandfather, said “This is an awesome event. The kids see animals on TV and don’t get to interact with them. This lets them interact with the animals and see them up close.”
Tug and Suzie Sanner of Boardman brought their twin sons, Beau and Keegan, 2, to the event.
“This is the first time for all of us to be here. We want to feed the baby animals,” said Suzie Sanner.
Beau said his favorite animal is the piglets.
Karen Hartman of Canfield had her two children, Bronson, 6, and Kaelyn, 4, at the event.
“We wanted to stop today and see all the baby animals,” she said, noting her children loved the tiny pygmy goats.
Jamie Yohman, community engagement director for Mill Creek MetroParks, said the event is popular every year.
“Baby animals are always a big draw. People just love to see them. The tractor and wagon rides are new. We educate people on the history of the farm and the crops and animals,” she said.
There were long lines of people waiting to get on the wagon ride.
Read the original article at The Vindicator.
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, May 9, 2022, at 6 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 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
The MetroParks is working in conjunction with Davey Resource Group (Kent, Ohio) to conduct a prescribed burn at Collier Preserve, a ~45-acre restored native grass prairie located at the corner of Tippecanoe Road and Western Reserve Road. Weather permitting, the project is anticipated to be completed in one day and will take place on Thursday, April 28, 2022, with Friday April 29 serving as an alternate date. Collier Preserve will be closed to the public for the duration of the project.
The controlled use of fire is a safe and effective management tool which provides several benefits including the suppression of invasive/undesirable species, removal of woody growth, reduction of thatch build-up, and the stimulation of native seed banks. In the case of Collier Preserve, Mill Creek MetroParks is entering the 4th year of post-planting management of the native warm season grass prairie. This stage is an ideal time to introduce fire as a management tool to bolster the maturing native grasses ensuring their success for years to come.
Mill Creek MetroParks will be holding its annual Farm Animal Baby Shower at the MetroParks Farm (7574 Columbiana-Canfield Rd, Canfield) on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Sponsored by 21 WFMJ / WBCB, this is a free, family-friendly event. Families are encouraged to visit from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. to meet new arrivals at the MetroParks Farm including goats, piglets, calves, chicks, alpacas, a peacock, and more. There will also be mother animals who are still expecting. Mahoning County Jr. Fair participants will also be on site with their animals and available to share their knowledge. Mill Creek MetroParks merchandise, tractor wagon rides, cones with feed for animal feedings, concession trailers and drinks will be available for purchase. Credit cards are accepted, cash preferred for tractor wagon rides and animal feeding. Parking is free on-site with additional free parking available across the street at the Canfield Fairgrounds.
The barns at the MetroParks Farm are currently open for the season to the public for viewing the animals daily from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., with extended hours until 6 p.m. from June – October.
The Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation has received a $175,000 gift from the John & Joanne Beeghly Family for the refurbishment of the primitive trail system surrounding Lake Newport. The gift will be utilized for trail restoration and enhancements at the trailheads. The funding supports a $250,000 capital improvement project for the primitive trails known as the Newport Loop. All funding for this project will be provided by donations.
The project will see the installation of new drainage systems along the trails, surface improvements, as well as erosion control. The work will also address improvements to existing retaining walls, borders, and stone steps, much of which were constructed by the WPA during the 1930s.
Chris Litton, Director of Development for Mill Creek MetroParks said, “The John & Joanne Beeghly Family have been friends and supporters of the MetroParks for many years. Their philanthropic reach has touched every corner of the MetroParks system, and we are profoundly grateful for their continued support of our mission. This latest gift will help to ensure that our trail system continues to be an essential part of recreation at the MetroParks for generations to come.”
The Newport Loop Trail Restoration is part of a $20 million comprehensive campaign launched by the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation to add $10 million in donated funding towards capital improvements in Mill Creek MetroParks and $10 million towards endowments for the long-term care and preservation of the MetroParks.
Individuals interested in contributing to the trail restoration fund at the MetroParks should contact Chris Litton, Director of Development at 330.702.3000 ext. 118.
Mill Creek MetroParks presents “Art and Memory: Reflections of Ron Mistovich” showcasing the range of Mistovichs’ creative energy and talent as an artist. This free art exhibit will be displayed in the Weller Gallery at Fellows Riverside Gardens beginning April 24 through July 24, 2022, during the normal operating hours of Tuesdays – Sundays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., closed Mondays.
Ron Mistovich graduated from Youngstown State University in 1971 with a B.S. in Art Education. He went on to receive a M.A. in Studio Art from Kent State University. He had an illustrious career as an art educator, teaching for 35 years in Struthers City Schools and also serving as adjunct professor in the Art Department at YSU. He enjoyed creating art in various mediums, whether at his home studio or in the classroom. Not only was he respected for his abstract painting and being a master art educator, but his creativity also extended to printmaking, sculpture, enamel, and jewelry. His artwork is exhibited in multiple permanent collections nationally, including The Butler Institute of American Art, as well as many private collections.
Mistovich was the recipient of the outstanding art educator award by The Steel Valley Art Teacher’s Association for his noteworthy contributions to the field of fine art and education. He continued painting throughout the last days of his life.
For more information on this exhibit, visit or call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330.740.7116.
The Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks has scheduled a Special Board Meeting for Saturday, April 23, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. – Noon., in the Education Building – Classroom A, at the MetroParks Farm, on Rt. 46, in Canfield. The only item on the agenda is a Board Retreat to discuss Board Governance, no decisions will be made.
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, April 11, 2022, at 6 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 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
The following roads in Mill Creek MetroParks will be closed to vehicular traffic as well as cyclists and pedestrians from approximately 6:30 a.m. until Noon on Sunday, April 10, 2022, for the Run Y-town 10 Mile Run:
• Old Mill Drive
• Kreider’s Entrance
• West Newport Drive
• East Newport Drive
• Chestnut Hill Drive
• East Golf Hike-Bike Trail
Always use caution when driving on MetroParks roads as many of these roads are also used by pedestrians and bicyclists. Pedestrians and bicyclists should be reminded to also use caution and be aware of vehicular traffic when on these roads.