Mill Creek MetroParks Roads Reopened for the Season

/in /by

Mill Creek MetroParks is announcing the reopening of roads previously closed for the winter season, providing greater access to the park’s stunning landscapes and outdoor recreation opportunities.

High Drive, between Chestnut Hill Drive and West Cohasset Drive, and Chestnut Hill Drive, between Canfield Road and High Drive have been reopened for vehicular traffic to drive through scenic routes, access trailheads, and enjoy the convenience of reaching their favorite park destinations by vehicle. The reopening marks the transition into spring, offering a perfect chance to explore the blooming beauty of nature.

A reminder to 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.

We encourage everyone to plan their visits and enjoy the wide variety of activities the park offers this season—from hiking and biking to picnicking and wildlife observation. For more information on park hours or amenities, download the MetroParks app powered by OuterSpatial, visit www.millcreekmetroparks.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Mahoning Valley Watercolor Society Water Media Show to be on Display in Weller Gallery

/in /by

Mill Creek MetroParks is pleased to present Wonders of Northeast Ohio: A Mahoning Valley Watercolor Society Water Media Show. This exhibit features the work of 20 member artists using watercolor techniques to celebrate the landscapes they love throughout Northeast Ohio. Artwork will highlight scenes from Mill Creek MetroParks, along with a wide-ranging look at backyards, wooded areas, open fields, and waterways.

This free exhibit will be on display April 4 through June 21, 2026, in the Weller Gallery, located inside the Davis Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Mondays.

A “Meet the Artists” reception will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Weller Gallery at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

For more information about this exhibit, visit www.millcreekmetroparks.org or call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330.740.7116.

Notice of MetroParks Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting

/in /by

The Recreation Citizens Advisory Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will meet on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., at the Wick Recreation Center, located at the Wick Recreation Area, 1861 McCollum Road in Youngstown.

Mill Creek MetroParks Welcomes Runners for Annual Distance Classic: Temporary Road Closures

/in , /by

Mill Creek MetroParks will host the Youngstown Road Runners Club Mill Creek Distance Classic Half Marathon and 5 Mile Run on Sunday, March 22, 2026. To ensure the safety of participants and spectators, the following will be temporarily closed to vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Roads & Facilities Affected:

  • West Newport Drive
  • Old Mill Drive
  • Kreider’s Entrance
  • East Newport Drive
  • Memorial Hill Drive
  • Robinson Hill Drive
  • East Cohasset Hike & Bike Trail
  • East Park Hike & Bike Trail
  • East Park Drive
  • Chestnut Hill Drive
  • Valley Drive
  • High Drive
  • West Cohasset Drive
  • West Park Drive
  • New Cross Drive
  • Cross Drive
  • Bears Den Drive

Limited Access Areas:

Access to Ford Nature Center will only be available via Volney Road from Glenwood Avenue during the race. Access to the Lily Pond will only be available via the McCollum Road entrance onto Birch Hill Drive.

As always, we remind drivers to use caution on MetroParks roads, as they are shared with pedestrians and cyclists. Likewise, pedestrians and cyclists should remain aware of vehicular traffic for a safe and enjoyable park experience.

Notice of March Board Meeting

/in /by

The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, March 9, 2026, at 5:00 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.

As a reminder, all weapons are prohibited inside Mill Creek MetroParks facilities. All members of the public attending the meetings will be required to pass through a metal detection device as part of MetroParks safety procedures.

Notice of February Board Meeting

/in /by

The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2026, at 5:00 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.

As a reminder, all weapons are prohibited inside Mill Creek MetroParks facilities. All members of the public attending the meetings will be required to pass through a metal detection device as part of MetroParks safety procedures.

Notice of January Board Meeting

/in /by

The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in McMahon Hall at the MetroParks Farm in Canfield. The agenda will be available on the website after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

As a reminder, all weapons are prohibited inside Mill Creek MetroParks facilities. All members of the public attending the meetings will be required to pass through a metal detection device as part of MetroParks safety procedures.

Notice of MetroParks Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting

/in /by

The Finance Citizens Advisory Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will meet on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 3:30 p.m., in the Education Building – Classroom A, at the MetroParks Farm, on Rt. 46, in Canfield.

Improvement Project Beginning at George L. Fordyce Park

/in , /by

An improvement project at George L. Fordyce Park, formerly Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, located along W. Calla Road in Beaver Township, will begin on Monday, December 22, 2025. The project is designed to enhance public access, improve safety, and elevate the overall visitor experience.

Project work will include construction of a new aggregate parking area, as well as improvements to the existing trail network and current parking area. During construction all parking areas, the observation platform, and access points will be closed and inaccessible to the public and permit holders. The project is expected to be completed within approximately thirty (30) days.

This improvement project is funded at 75% through a successful Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Clean Ohio Conservation Fund application.

1898 Foundation commits as title sponsor of two junior events beginning in 2026–AJGA announces four-year extension with Mill Creek Golf Course

/in /by

*Posted on behalf of the AJGA.

 

BRASELTON, GA. – The American Junior Golf Association announced a four-year extension with Mill Creek Golf Course to continue hosting two of its annual junior golf events through 2029. The agreement secures the 1898 Foundation Junior All-Star, set for June 22-24, and the 1898 Foundation Preview presented by ICL Academy (Ages 12-15), scheduled for June 24-26. As part of the new agreement, the 1898 Foundation has signed on as title sponsor for both events from 2026 to 2029.

The 1898 Foundation, based in Youngstown, supports the advancement and promotion of amateur golf and related sporting activities, the preservation of historic designated golf courses and facilities in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties, and the preservation of The Youngstown Country Club historic district. Its sponsorship strengthens the long-term viability of these two AJGA events and reinforces the foundation’s commitment to growing the game.

“The 1898 Foundation is pleased to partner with the AJGA to support the annual golf tournament held at the historic Mill Creek Park Golf Course,” said Reid Schmutz, Director of the 1898 Foundation. “This sponsorship supports the advancement of the game of golf for young people at our local golf course while providing significant economic impact for our region.”

Mill Creek Golf Course has hosted AJGA events for the past 10 years and has become one of the longest-running tournament partners in the Midwest. Mill Creek first welcomed the AJGA in 2015 and has since hosted multiple Junior All-Star and ICL Academy Preview Series events, drawing players from across the country each summer. The venue’s consistency, course setup and strong community involvement have helped establish Mill Creek as a staple on the AJGA schedule.

Mill Creek has played an important role in the development of young golfers, hosting fields that have included future college standouts and AJGA award winners. Notably, Maxwell Moldovan won the Junior All-Star event in both 2016 and 2017. He later earned 2019 Rolex Junior Player of the Year honors and competed for four years at Ohio State, where he became one of the most decorated players in program history. Moldovan turned professional in 2024 and has competed in five PGA TOUR events. Vanessa Borovilos, the 2020 champion, also went on to have an accomplished junior career. The current Texas A&M sophomore was a three-time Rolex Junior All-American and finished as the No. 3 ranked junior golfer and No. 1 player in Canada in the Class of 2024.

“We’re excited to have hosted the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) at Mill Creek for the past ten years,” Brian Tolnar, PGA Director of Golf & Recreation for Mill Creek MetroParks said. “This new 4-year partnership with the 1898 Foundation as the title sponsor will ensure the event stays in our region of the country and here in the Mahoning Valley through 2029. The economic impact for overnight stays, dining, retail spending and exploration of the weeklong event has exceeded the 3 million dollar mark for our local community as well as $80,000 toward local charities in our community. We cannot thank the 1898 Foundation and their Board of Directors enough for their long-term commitment to junior golf at Mill Creek Golf Course.”

The Junior All-Star Series is designed for players ages 12–15 who are ready to test their games on a national stage, while the ICL Academy Preview Series gives emerging golfers a chance to gain valuable experience in their first AJGA events. Together, the two tournaments at Mill Creek provide an early-season opportunity for young players to compete, learn and build confidence as they progress in their junior golf journeys. The multi-year extension keeps Mill Creek Golf Course as one of the AJGA’s most consistent Midwest hosts and ensures the region will continue to welcome junior golfers and their families for years to come.

For more information on the 1898 Foundation Junior All-Star or the 1898 Foundation Preview presented by ICL Academy (Ages 12-15), please visit ajga.org or contact Ryan Flanagan (rflanagan@ajga.org) in the AJGA Tournament Business Affairs Department.

 

About the AJGA

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls, ages 12-19) of more than 10,000 members from 50 states and 51 foreign countries. Through initiatives like the Liberty National ACE Grant, a financial assistance program, and Leadership Links, a service-oriented platform that teaches juniors charitable-giving skills, the AJGA fosters the growth of golf’s next generation.

TaylorMade and adidas are the AJGA’s Global Sponsors, supporting the AJGA for more than 25 years. TaylorMade has served as the Official Ball of the AJGA since 2016. adidas has been the Official Apparel and Footwear of the AJGA since 2017. Rolex, in its fourth decade of AJGA sponsorship, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.

AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 1,000 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Jessica Korda, Nelly Korda, Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang.