The Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks previously scheduled Special Board Meeting for Wednesday, September 22, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. – Noon., aboard the Cohasset Express Trolley has been cancelled due to the predicted weather forecast.

The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, September 20, 2021, 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 Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation’s American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Junior All-Star Event and AJGA Preview Events took place the week of June 20, 2021, at Mill Creek Golf Course. The tournament hosted 280 junior competitors, including six junior players who earned their spot in a Sunday regional qualifying event from a field of 156 players. Over 150+ volunteers, 37 college coaches from all over the United States, and two dozen staff and interns from the AJGA were also in attendance at the 2021 tournament.

The AJGA tournament had an economic impact in the Mahoning Valley of $301,974.00 in 2021 and a five-year total of $1,911,596.00 since its inception in 2016. This impact includes lodging for families and AJGA representatives, rental cars, dining and entertainment spending. In addition, a $7,000.00 donation was made to Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation and AJGA Ace Grant which came from monies raised for the AJGA tournament and Junior-Amateur event held on the Monday prior to the main event. To date the AJGA event has raised over $51,000.00 for local charities and has represented players from all 50 states as well as 27 different countries. Many thanks to the title sponsor: The Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation, presenting sponsors: Mahoning County Convention & Visitor Bureau, Fox Sports, ACDS, TransAmerica as well as the many area companies/businesses that were hole partners throughout the event week.

Anna Swan of Erie, Pennsylvania was the female champion coming in at two over par and John Hiller of New York, New York was the male champion with a score of three under par for the week for the Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation AJGA Junior All Star Tournament.

Mia Melendez from Ann Arbor, Michigan was the female champion coming in at two over par and Peyton Savageau from Oak Grove, Minnesota was the male champion with a score of three over par for the week for the Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation AJGA Junior Preview Tournament.

Mill Creek would like to thank all the spectators who were in attendance for the event as well as this year’s media partners: YSN, WFMJ, WKBN, 1240 WBBW, 570 WKBN for their extensive coverage during the week.

 

Mill Creek MetroParks is soliciting public comment for an upcoming trail construction project. The proposed project involves construction of the East Park Hike and Bike Trail Phase II, located parallel to East Park Drive approximately 0.15-miles north of Canfield Road (US-62). Other local landmarks include Lanterman’s Mill located approximately 0.20-miles south (across Route US-62) and the Suspension Bridge located approximately 0.52 miles north (along Valley Drive).

The proposed East Park Hike & Bike Trail Phase II is a continuation of an enhancement project constructed by the MetroParks in 2019 to provide increased safety and connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists as they travel through the East Park Corridor. Phase I of the East Park Hike & Bike Trail, consisting of about 750 feet of 8-foot-wide paved asphalt trail, was completed as part of the East Park Drive/U.S. Route 62 roadway resurfacing/intersection improvement project completed by Mill Creek MetroParks and the City of Youngstown, respectively.

Construction of the proposed East Park Hike & Bike Trail Phase II section, at approximately 1700 feet of 8-foot-wide paved asphalt trail, will enhance the trail connectivity of Mill Creek Park, as this proposed trail section is the final connection to complete a 7+ mile continuous trail system dedicated to pedestrian and bicyclist traffic that extends from U.S. 224 in Boardman Township to Old Furnace Road in the City of Youngstown.

The estimated total project cost is $170,000 with 80% funded by the ODOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and 20% funded by Mill Creek MetroParks.  Project construction is currently planned for the spring of 2022.

To ensure the proposed project is viable and successful, Mill Creek MetroParks is seeking input from the public regarding the proposed project and the social, environmental, and economic impacts. Environmental impacts include those involving archaeological, architectural, and ecological resources, regulated materials, and the general location of the project. Mill Creek MetroParks 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.

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 requires agency officials to consider the effects of their actions on historic properties. The Section 106 process seeks to incorporate historic values into project planning through consultation among agencies, and other parties, with an interest in the effects of the undertaking on historic properties. Individuals or organizations with a demonstrated interest in the effects of the undertaking on historic properties, including the Mill Creek Park Historic District, can become a Section 106 consulting party. The various consulting parties work together to discuss options, provide multiple viewpoints, and strive to seek common agreement on the incorporation of historic preservation values into the project.   If you are interested in becoming a Section 106 consulting party or have general questions/comments concerning the environmental process, please contact Sean Carpenter, Environmental Specialist at (330) 786-2274 or by electronic mail at sean.carpenter@dot.ohio.gov.

To learn more about the proposed project, please participate in the Virtual Open House at www.millcreekmetroparks.org/east-park. All public comments, questions and/or concerns about the project are welcomed, and should be directed to:

 

Nick Derico, Natural Resources Steward
330.702.3000, Ext 136
nderico@millcreekmetroparks.org
Mill Creek MetroParks
7574 Columbiana Canfield Rd.
Canfield, Ohio 44406
All Comments Must be Submitted by October 18^th, 2021