Additional Mill Creek MetroParks Closures

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In response to the City of Youngstown emergency sewer repair project, beginning January 31, 2023, West Newport Drive from Canfield Road to the Newport Boathouse, including Kiowa Road and Cascade Drive, will be closed to all vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic for approximately two weeks. Hampton Drive will remain open for traffic.

In addition, beginning February 1, 2023, Old Mill Drive from Kiwatha Road to Canfield Road and Valley Drive from East Park Drive to the Flats parking lot will also be closed to all vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic during the City of Youngstown’s repair project.

Mill Creek MetroParks Closures

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In response to the City of Youngstown emergency sewer repair project, beginning January 31, 2023, West Newport Drive from Canfield Road to the Newport Boathouse, including Kiowa Road and Cascade Drive, will be closed to all vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic for approximately two weeks. Hampton Drive will remain open for traffic.

MetroParks Police Department Recognized for Excellence in Policy and Training

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The Mill Creek MetroParks Police Department announced today that it has been recognized for excellence in policy management and training in 2022 by Lexipol, the nation’s leading provider of policy, training, and wellness support for first responders and public servants.

The Lexipol Connect program tracks performance on five metrics proven to measure success in policy management. The MetroParks Police achieved Gold recognition for consistent and effective policy dissemination to personnel, timely policy updates as laws change, and officer training on policies.

“Good policies, and the regular training on those policies, provide the foundation for what we do and how we serve our community. We are proud to be recognized by Lexipol Connect for continuously improving professionalism and safety,” says Randy Campana, MetroParks Police Chief.

Notice of January Board Meeting

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The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, January 9, 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.

Notice of December Board Meeting

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The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, December 12, 2022, 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.

Mill Creek MetroParks Winter Road Closures

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Effective Friday, December 2, 2022 the following roads in Mill Creek Park will be closed to vehicular traffic for the winter season:

  • High Drive, between Chestnut Hill Drive and West Cohasset Drive
  • Chestnut Hill Drive, between Canfield Road and High Drive
  • Calvary Run Drive, between Belle Vista Avenue and Milton Avenue

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.

Mill Creek MetroParks presents Winter Celebration: Festival of Trees and Winter Nights

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Beginning December 3 – December 31, 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 21 WFMJ/WBCB. This year, 50 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 3 – December 31, 2022, 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 3 from Disney character Elsa and on December 17 from The Grinch. 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.

For more information, please call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330.740.7116 or visit millcreekmetroparks.org.

Celebrating the Holiday Weekend in Mill Creek MetroParks

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Kick off your holiday weekend with the Black Friday Sale at Mill Creek Golf Course Golf Shop on Friday, November 25, 2022. Stop in from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to purchase your favorite golfer something special for next season.

On Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., visit Lanterman’s Mill for Olde Fashioned Christmas at the 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, a visit with Santa and more! Santa will be escorted to the Mill by our very own Mill Creek MetroParks Police and will visit with children both days from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. To share the holiday spirit with others, consider bringing a new hat, scarf, or pair of mittens to decorate our “Giving Tree.” Donated items will warm up local children in need this winter.

For more information about the holiday weekend events in the MetroParks, please visit millcreekmetroparks.org.

Notice of November Board Meeting

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The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, November 21, 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.

 

Mill Creek Wins Award for PGA Hope Program

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The Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) has announced its 2022 Annual Awards of Excellence winners. Mill Creek Golf Courses’ PGA Hope Program placed third 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 2021, Mill Creek MetroParks launched one (1) of only two (2) PGA Hope Programs in the State of Ohio in conjunction with the Northern Ohio PGA Section of Cleveland. The program had maximum attendance of 24 veterans with four (4) veterans shadowing the event to see how it worked. The program at Mill Creek included three (3) PGA Professionals from Mill Creek along with eight (8) veteran volunteers. In addition to the veteran volunteers, Mill Creek partnered with the local Youngstown State University Women’s golf team to assist with the program and to promote the military veterans of the community. In 2022, the second year, the program had maximum attendance and was filled in less than a week after the event posted. The 2022 program took place on October 6 at Mill Creek Golf Course. Currently, Mill Creek has expanded the field to 36 veterans with a waiting list of 16 veterans due to the programs high demand.

The community-based event held at Mill Creek is a recreational opportunity for all active, non-active, and retired military members. The emphasis of the program to promote health and mental wellness through the sport of golf aligns with the MetroParks mission. Military divisions represented at Mill Creek MetroParks included the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard, Navy, and Space Force. All participating veterans receive complimentary golf instruction by PGA Professional staff at Mill Creek, PGA Hope Hat, PGA Hope Camo t-shirt, PGA Hope dog tag, complimentary golf, complimentary lunch each day, complimentary trolley rides in the park, contest prizes, and a commemorative challenge coin. All at no cost to the military veteran participants due to all programs funded by PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America, and supplemented by PGA Section Foundations, allowing the cost of programming to be free to all veterans of every background.

“We are thrilled to be recognized for the work the Golf & Recreation Department is doing to honor our local veterans and all they have sacrificed for our country,” says Aaron Young, Executive Director.

The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence will be presented at a banquet hosted by the association on January 31, 2023 in Sandusky, Ohio.