The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, June 12, 2023, at 6:00 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.
Beginning on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, both Chestnut Hill Drive and West Park Drive (from Lily Pond Drive to West Glacier Drive) will be closed for an asphalt resurfacing project. These Mill Creek Park drives will be closed to all forms of traffic including vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle. Work on the project includes milling and patching of the existing asphalt, installation of new courses of asphalt, and new pavement markings.
The project is anticipated to be completed by the end of the week (June 2, 2023).
It is with deep sadness that the MetroParks announces the passing of Lanterman’s Mill Manager, Greg O’ Neal. On Friday, May 12, 2023, Greg suffered a severe cardiac event while working and was transported to a local hospital where he later passed. Greg was a dedicated employee serving as the Lanterman’s Mill Manager for nearly 11 years. Greg will long be remembered as a fixture of Lanterman’s Mill where his dedication and passion for the MetroParks will be greatly missed by his colleagues and visitors alike.
Mill Creek MetroParks would like to thank first responders, MetroParks Police, and visitors for their quick response and efforts in providing their medical assistance.
Lanterman’s Mill will reopen to the public on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, during normal business hours of 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, May 8, 2023, at 6:00 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.
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 23, 2023, for the Run Y-town 5- & 10-Mile Run:
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. For more information about Mill Creek MetroParks, visit our website at www.millcreekmetroparks.org.
The Finance Citizens Advisory Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will meet on Friday, April 21, 2023, at 2:30 p.m., in the Education Building – Classroom A, at the MetroParks Farm, on Rt. 46, in Canfield.
Mill Creek MetroParks will be holding its annual Farm Animal Baby Shower at the MetroParks Farm (7574 Columbiana-Canfield Rd, Canfield) on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Sponsored by 21 WFMJ / WBCB, this is a family-friendly event. Families are encouraged to visit the barns, free of charge, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. to meet new arrivals at the MetroParks Farm including goats, piglets, calves, chicks, alpacas, peacocks, and more. There will also be mother animals who are still expecting, a cow to milk and rabbits to pet from 4-H Junior Fair Participants. Mill Creek MetroParks merchandise, tractor wagon rides, cones with feed for animal feedings, concession trailers and drinks will be available for purchase. Parking is free on-site with additional parking available across the street at the Canfield Fairgrounds.
The barns at the MetroParks Farm are now open daily to the public for viewing of the animals from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., with extended hours until 6 p.m. from June – October.
Beginning on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, West Park Drive will be closed between Lily Pond Drive and West Glacier Drive to facilitate the Bears Den Run stream restoration project. This project includes stream restoration along the channel of the Bears Den Run tributary and work within the historic footprint of Mirror Pond.
This project is anticipated to be completed within 10 days. In the event of inclement weather, the work schedule will be delayed and adjusted accordingly.
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, April 10, 2023, at 6:00 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.
A drive through Mill Creek Park on Thursday showed tree damage and sawed off logs along the sides of roads. The last two Saturdays did a number on Mill Creek’s trees. All the roads are back open, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.
Mill Creek MetroParks operations director Justin Rogers said they’re seeing damage all over the place, including the Par 3 golf course, where one example was a damaged fence.
“Comes down, damages it. Fence line, guard rail posts, sidewalks,” he said.
Twenty-five trees fell on the Par 3 golf course, the scars of which were everywhere, and this was just one section of the park.
“For instance, last Sunday we had the Mill Creek Distance Classic on that Sunday. We had crews out all day Saturday and the early morning hours of Sunday just opening up the roads,” Rogers said.
Driving south, all along the way, there were fresh logs along the roads, and they haven’t even started clearing the trails.
“There’s actually a fifth one that’s buried back in there,” Rogers said.
At the Lake Newport wetlands, the men’s restroom was heavily damaged by a spruce tree, though, the restroom was to be replaced this year anyway. Of all the trees that fell, a lot of them were spruce.
“Yes, I think this was probably the number one species that we’ve seen impacted by the winds,” Rogers said.
Along West Golf Drive, near the main golf course, were two large spruces that were knocked over, their root bases pointing 12 feet skyward.
Rogers knows of 200 trees that had to be dealt with, but how many were lost throughout the entire park?
“I couldn’t even fathom a guess,” Rogers said.
All the wood from the downed trees will be sold or donated. The trees deep in the woods will not be moved.
“I think back-to-back like this is probably more damage and impactful that I’ve seen in 20 years,” Rogers said.
Rogers says Mill Creek MetroParks has used 900 man hours so far dealing with the storm damage. He wanted to thank the park employees who worked diligently to get it all cleared.
The Mill Creek Metroparks Foundation is looking for help to reforest the park after hundreds of trees were lost due to the recent storms. The park system is hoping to replace them with help from donations.
A Tree Trust has been established, and you can make donations online at lovemillcreek.org.
Patty Coller contributed to this report.
Read the original article at WKBN.