The Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will hold two Special Meetings as follows:
Thursday, January 19, 2017, 6 p.m., at the MetroParks Farm – the only agenda item is planning for the Board retreat; there will not be a public comment period.
Saturday, January 21, 2017, 10 a.m., at the MetroParks Farm – Advisory Committee Orientation – the agenda will be available online by 2 pm on January 20.
The Records Retention Committee of Mill Creek MetroParks will meet at 5:30 p.m., December 19, 2016, in the Davis Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens.
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks has been scheduled for Monday, December 19 at 6 p.m. in the Davis Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown. The agenda will be available after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
A Special Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks has been scheduled for Monday, December 5 at 6 p.m. at the MetroParks Farm (7574 Columbiana-Canfield Rd., Canfield, OH). The purpose of the meeting will be for the finalization of the proposed advisory committee structure and the review and determination of applicants. The agenda will be available after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
Effective Friday, December 2, the following roads in Mill Creek Park will be closed to vehicular traffic for the winter:
• Chestnut Hill Drive between Canfield Road and the Kirkmere Spur
• High Drive between the Kirkmere Spur and West Cohasset 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. For more information about Mill Creek MetroParks, visit our website at www.millcreekmetroparks.org or call 330.702.3000.
From December 3 through December 31, the D. D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center will be adorned for the annual Winter Celebration event, which is sponsored by WKBN 27 First News and Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens. This year’s theme, “One Man’s Dream: Celebrating 125 Years of Mill Creek Park” can be experienced by visitors from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesdays – Friday.
Take a trip back through the last century and a quarter as you rediscover Mill Creek Park. You will be greeted by replicas of the Silver Suspension Bridge and Lanterman’s Mill amidst boughs and wintry landscapes. Stroll along inside the Davis Center to see your favorite iconic park structures, the annual holiday tree walk, and a student-led Chihuly inspired display in The Tyler Classroom. “Chihuly glass-inspired sculptures transform the room into a magical place “crazy with color”, says Gardens Educator Lynn Zocolo, organizer of the Winter Celebration. Guests will also be able to experience live fir trees on display throughout the Davis Center where fifty non-profit organizations display their uniquely decorated trees.
During the first three weekends of December, the Gardens will be open until 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for guests to experience the celebration of winter beauty outside, across the Gardens’ landscapes —the Electric Garden. A stroll after twilight on the weekends will reward you with the Electric Garden’s laser lights and arches. Dramatic sweeps of lighting bring a nighttime magic to the winter landscape. Plus, find that perfect gift at the Shop in the Gardens and savor refreshments available for purchase in the Garden Café.
Mill Creek MetroParks, Fellows Riverside Gardens is proud to present this family-friendly free event. Please note special dates for Visitor Center hours include being CLOSED Mondays and on December 25 and January 1.
For more information, please call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330.740.7116 or visit millcreekmetroparks.org.
On Saturday, November 19, 2016 from 10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., the Mahoning County Hazmat team will be conducting situational training near the Slippery Rock Pavilion Area in Mill Creek Park. This training is a collaboration between the Ohio EPA, Marathon Oil and the Mahoning County Hazmat Team. Officials from these organizations will be trained for handling emergency situations, such as hazardous substances entering into streams and waterways similar to those in Mill Creek Park.
Kick off your holiday weekend with a Black Friday Sale at the Mill Creek Golf Course Golf Shop on November 25. Stop in from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. to get your favorite golfers something special for next season.
On Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. visit Lanterman’s Mill for Olde Fashioned Christmas at Lanterman’s Mill. Sponsored by 21 WFMJ and WBCB, guests will be able to see Lanterman’s Mill dressed in holiday finery for this traditional, family-friendly, free event. Taste chestnuts roasted on an open fire, watch artisans demonstrate old fashioned crafts, purchase unique handcrafted gifts, and enjoy entertainment by a juggler, balloon artist, and many fine musicians. To share the holiday spirit with others, bring a new hat, scarf, or pair of mittens to decorate a “Giving Tree.” Donated items will warm up children in need this winter.
On Sunday, November 27 head over to the MetroParks Farm for Santa’s Winter Barn. From 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Santa will make an appearance with some of his animal friends from around the world as he gets his reindeer ready for that big night. Come sit in his sleigh for a holiday picture and make a holiday craft to take home. The family-friendly free event is held in the barn which is not heated, so dress appropriately. There is a $1 fee for the children’s holiday craft.
For more information, about the holiday weekend events in the MetroParks, please visit millcreekmetroparks.org.
The Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) has announced its 2016 Annual Awards of Excellence winners. Mill Creek MetroParks Lily Pond Restoration Project placed 3rd in the Capital Improvement Projects under $1,000,000 category. “These award winners represent the best of the best in parks and recreation in Ohio,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “These programs and projects are changing the lives of people around the state and building better communities in Ohio. Our members are offering amazing programs and great facilities in communities of all types around Ohio. That diversity is a strength of our association and helps to ensure that citizens all over the state receive the benefits of parks and recreation.”
The Lily Pond Restoration Project was led by Mill Creek’s Planning & Operations Director, Steve Avery and Planning Manager, Justin Rogers. The goal of the project was aimed at restoring many of the original attributes and functions of the Lily Pond that had deteriorated from heavy use and frequency of visitors. “The challenge became how to improve access and visibility, improve environmental function, create more appeal, and maintain historic and natural character in a compact, defined space”, says Justin. The solutions include a floating boardwalk which allows a section of inadequate trail to be abandoned, two observation decks bringing visitors to the water’s edge, newly planted native vegetation creating seasonal interest and pockets of diverse habitat, a bioswale, biofiltration area, and permeable pavers which address storm water runoff and pollutants from entering the Lily Pond, and facility information that is readily accessible through interpretive signage and a new kiosk.
Throughout the state, 131 programs and projects were nominated, an increase from last year. In all, 18 different agencies have been recognized with 1st, 2nd or 3rd place awards. The awards were judged by a panel of 41 parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio.
The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence will be presented at a banquet hosted by the association on February 14, 2017 at the Kalahari Convention Center in Sandusky in conjunction with the 2017 OPRA Conference & Trade Show. One 1st place award winner will be presented with the 2016 Governor’s Award for Parks and Recreation, a “best-in-show” award which includes a $500 contribution to the parks and recreation foundation of the winner.
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks has been scheduled for Monday, November 14 at 6 p.m. at the MetroParks Farm (7574 Columbiana-Canfield Rd., Canfield, OH 44406). The agenda will be available after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
Immediately following the Regular Board Meeting, a Special Board Meeting–Work Session has been scheduled to discuss the Advisory Committees.