The Finance Citizens Advisory Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will meet on Friday, January 7, 2022, at 2:30 p.m., in the Education Building – Classroom A, at the MetroParks Farm, on Rt. 46, in Canfield. Covid-19 guidelines recommended by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will apply.
Mill Creek MetroParks announces the launch of its first ever Co-Ed Youth NFL Flag Football League this Spring at Wick Recreation Area! The league is powered by NFL Flag and participants will be decked out in Mill Creek MetroParks/NFL team branded jerseys with additional NFL Flag support resources available to coaches and participants.
“We’re thrilled to bring NFL Flag to the football-hungry communities of the Valley, and to host a flag football season at Wick Recreation Area,” said Chris Bundy, Recreation Manager. “Backed by the NFL and our league experienced staff, we’re proud to offer a flag football experience that features family friendly, alcohol-free tailgating, cheerleaders, and some fun, fast-paced football action,” Bundy said. “We’re so excited to share this experience with our community.”
Registration is now open to 4U, 6U, 8U, 10U, and 12U players with skill evaluations to take place on April 11 or April 12, 2022. The evaluations will be followed by a coaches draft for team selections. Games will be played on Saturdays at Wick Recreation Area in Youngstown beginning May 14 through June 18, 2022.
The player registration fee is $119.99 for Mahoning County Residents and $129.99 for Non-Residents. Early bird registration receives $10.00 off now through February 28, 2022. Register online by visiting www.millcreekmetroparks.org, in person at Wick Recreation Area, or by calling 330.740.7114. Every player will receive a jersey, flags with belt, socks, shorts, drawstring bag, water bottle, optional shoe fittings, and team picture opportunities.
Once again, thanks to a successful grant application to the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, Mill Creek MetroParks has efficiently expanded its preservation and water quality protection efforts by acquiring 218 acres of land adjacent to its Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary. The acquired land consists of 218 acres of property including 3,875 linear feet of Mill Creek and nearly 96-acres of high-quality wetlands all located in Beaver Township on Calla Road, just East of Mill Creek. With this acquisition, the Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary is now comprised of a total of 482-acres, further enhancing the MetroParks ongoing watershed and wetlands protection efforts.
The Clean Ohio Conservation Fund provided 75% or $457,500 of the $610,000 total project cost, with the remaining 25% or $152,500 required match being provided thanks to financial support from the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation. Future improvements related to public accessibility are currently being planned for the newly acquired property and are expected to include facility and wayfinding signage, an improved trail system, and ecological habitat restoration efforts.
“We are thrilled to be able to announce the continued success of our efforts to preserve critical wetlands and wildlife habitat within the Mill Creek Watershed through the expansion of the Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of MetroParks staff, our partners at the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation, and the support of the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, we are one step further in working to improve the water quality within the region.” said Aaron Young, Executive Director.
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, December 13, 2021, 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.
Effective Friday, December 3, 2021 the following roads in Mill Creek Park will be closed to vehicular traffic for the winter:
When closed to vehicular traffic, these roads are available for recreational use for hiking, cross country skiing and sledding. Aside from recreational opportunities, benefits of winter road closures include cost savings associated with snow/ice removal as well as a reduction of negative environmental impacts from deicing salt. All roads will reopen in the spring when weather permits.
In the winter months, snow and ice can create slippery roadway conditions. Roads with limited shoulders, lack of guardrails and steep grades can become increasingly hazardous for motorists. Always use caution when driving on MetroParks roads.
Beginning December 4 through January 7, 2022, the D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens will present Winter Celebration: Festival of Trees, which is a family-friendly, admission-free event sponsored by WKBN 27 First News. This year, 60 uniquely decorated trees by local nonprofits will bring magic to the Davis Center for all to enjoy. Visitors will also be able to participate in a scavenger hunt and view the beautiful seasonal flowers on display. Visitors can experience Winter Celebration: Festival of Trees Tuesdays – Sundays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Every Saturday from December 4 – December 18, 2021, Fellows Riverside Gardens hours will be extended until 7 p.m. for guests to experience Winter Nights featuring an outdoor light display highlighting the beauty of winter. Inside the Davis Center, enjoy live music and special appearances on December 4 from characters Moana and Blippi and on December 18 from Ana, Elsa and Spiderman. Plus, stop by to find that perfect gift at the Shop in the Gardens and savor refreshments available for purchase in Kravitz’s Garden Cafe.
Kick off your holiday weekend with the Black Friday Sale at the Mill Creek Golf Course Golf Shop on Friday, November 26, 2021. Stop in from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to purchase your favorite golfer something special for next season.
On Saturday, November 27 and Sunday, November 28 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. visit Lanterman’s Mill for Olde Fashioned Christmas at Lanterman’s Mill. Sponsored by 21 WFMJ/WBCB, guests will see Lanterman’s Mill dressed in holiday finery for this traditional, family-friendly, free admission event. Taste chestnuts roasted on an open fire, purchase unique handcrafted gifts, watch the Christmas Story movie on the big screen, a visit with Santa and crafts for the kids to enjoy! Santa will be escorted to the Mill by our very own Mill Creek MetroParks Police at Noon on Saturday, November 27, 2021. To share the holiday spirit with others, consider bringing a new hat, scarf, or pair of mittens to decorate a “Giving Tree.” Donated items will warm up local children in need this winter.
Mill Creek MetroParks will be partnering with the YSU Legacy Forest Committee to plant 1,200 trees at the Collier Preserve, located on Western Reserve Road in Boardman Township at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 18, 2021. This event is part of an on-going reforestation program at the Collier Preserve to help reduce the effects of habitat loss and climate change throughout the Mahoning Valley.
To learn more about the event please feel free to contact:
Nick Derico, Natural Resources StewardMill Creek MetroParks
E: Nderico@millcreekmetroparks.org
P: 330.702.3000 x 136
The Finance Citizens Advisory Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will meet on Friday, November 19, 2021, at 2:30 p.m., in the Education Building – McMahon Hall, at the MetroParks Farm, on Rt. 46, in Canfield.
The Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) has announced its 2021 Annual Awards of Excellence winners. Mill Creek Golf Courses’ American Junior Golf Association Junior All Star Tournament placed 1st in the sports category of the competition. The awards are judged by a panel of parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio. “Parks and recreation professionals throughout Ohio work every day to improve the quality of life of the people they serve,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “This effort is a shining example of that kind of work, and we are pleased to be able to present this award.”
In the fall of 2015, Mill Creek MetroParks created a partnership with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) to bring a national event to the state of Ohio. In June of 2016, Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation AJGA Junior All Star Tournament was born. The first Junior All Star Tournament saw participants from 19 different states and 3 countries represented. Fast forward to five years later in 2021, the AJGA hosted the standard Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation Junior All Star event with the addition of an AJGA Preview Event allowing the course to host two, 54-hole tournaments with 100 player qualifiers which brought double the visitors to the local community. In addition to the event, the tournament brought in 40+ top college golf coaches from all around the country to recruit players. Spectators were welcome all week and averaged another 250+ people every day of the event. “It’s a great way to showcase the MetroParks and the Golf Course all while giving back to our local community,” says Brian Tolnar, PGA Golf Director.
Year to date, the event has brought a near $2 million financial impact to the community in the form of hotel stays, dining, rental cars, shopping, and entertainment spending along with participants from all 50 states and 37 different countries to Mill Creek MetroParks. Participants and their families have taken advantage of using the MetroParks while in town as well as taking part in many events and education programs that are held during the event week.
“We are thrilled to be recognized for the work that we are doing to impact the local community and the dedication demonstrated by the Golf & Recreation Department here at Mill Creek MetroParks,” says Aaron Young, Executive Director.
The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence will be presented at a banquet hosted by the association on February 8, 2022 in Sandusky, Ohio.