Spring Bulbs are Abloom at Fellows Riverside Gardens  

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(Youngstown, OH) It’s spring and the Gardens are abloom!  Visit Fellows Riverside Gardens throughout the months of April and May as the landscape is lavishly filled with various hues of purple, pink, and yellow-colored spring bulbs offering a kaleidoscope of colors. This year’s display features nearly 40,000 bulbs planted last fall by staff and volunteers, including:

  • 33,000 tulips (Tulipa spp.)
  • 5,000 daffodils (Narcissus spp.)
  • 1,000 grape hyacinths (Muscari spp.)
  • 200 ornamental onions (Allium spp.)

Complementing the spring bulb displays you’ll find 3,000 pansies (Viola spp.), 1000 ornamental cabbages (Brassica spp.) and over 200 unique cultivars of daffodils (Narcissus spp.) in the permanent daffodil collection.

The Gardens are already filled with color, so stop out for a visit and enjoy the dazzling displays of spring!

South Course, Practice Facility, and Wick Recreation Area Par 3 Course to Open for Season

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(Youngstown, Ohio) The South Course and Practice Range & Learning Center will re-open for the season on Friday, April 14, 2017. The James L. Wick, Jr. Recreation Area Par 3 Golf Course will re-open on Monday, April 17, 2017. In addition, the batting cages, tennis courts and sand volleyball courts also located at the Wick Recreation Area will open on April 17. Hours are 8 am to dark, with lighted night hours of 8 pm – 11 pm beginning Memorial Day weekend.

For more information about the Mill Creek Golf Course and the James L. Wick, Jr. Recreation Area, visit our website at www.millcreekmetroparks.org.

ODNR Division of Wildlife to Release Rainbow Trout at Mill Creek MetroParks

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(Youngstown, Ohio) The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is donating approximately 2,500 catchable-size rainbow trout to Mill Creek MetroParks and they are scheduled to deliver the fish to Lake Glacier on Thursday, April 13. The release is expected to occur in the morning, but the specific time is unknown based on several factors, as determined by ODNR and their hatchery.

Anglers must comply with the following rules:

  • State of Ohio fishing licenses are required
  • Foul-hooks are not permitted
  • Five (5) fish per person per day limit
  • No fishing is permitted in the area directly adjacent to the Lake Glacier Boathouse

ODNR Division of Wildlife officials and Mill Creek MetroParks Police are authorized to check for current fishing licenses and to inspect all fish caught.

For more information about Mill Creek MetroParks and fishing/boating season, visit our website at www.millcreekmetroparks.org. For information about Ohio fishing license requirements/stocking program, visit ODNR’s website at http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov.

Bid Approval Granted for Water Wheel Replacement

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Lanterman’s Mill Water Wheel Replacement Bid Approved by Board

(Youngstown, Ohio)  Mill Creek MetroParks Board of Park Commissioners awarded a bid totaling $182,500 for the replacement of the Lanterman’s Mill Water Wheel on April 10, 2017. The project is part of this year’s capital improvements plan and is located at Lanterman’s Mill in Mill Creek Park, adjacent to Canfield Road (SR 62) in the City of Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. The existing wooden water wheel was constructed and installed in 2000 and due to its continuous use and age, it has deteriorated to a point where total replacement is needed. The existing waterwheel is still in operation and its operation will be maintained until the wheel is replaced at the end of the 2017 season.  In addition to total replacement of the waterwheel, the project includes the following major elements:

  • Replacement of the waterwheel trestle and maintenance platforms
  • Construction of new waterwheel headblocks
  • Replacement of the penstock and flume
  • Replacement of penstock and head race control gates
  • Alterations and repairs to the lower public viewing platform
  • Electrical lighting improvements

Forty-nine percent of the awarded total project amount of $182,500 is being paid for by the proceeds of the Recipes of Youngstown cookbook sales along with support of the MetroPark’s Foundations Lanterman’s Mill Endowment Fund. Mill Creek MetroParks will pay the remaining 51% or approximate balance of $92,770.89 towards the project.

About Lanterman’s Mill

One of Mahoning County’s most historic landmarks, Lanterman’s Mill was built in 1845-46 by German Lanterman and Samuel Kimberly. Restored in 1982-85 through a gift from the Ward and Florence Beecher Foundations, this community treasure represents one of the many pioneer industries developed along Mill Creek. The mill operates today as it did in the 1800s using a large, interior wooden water wheel to generate power to operate ingenious equipment that turns massive stones which are then used to grind corn, wheat, and buckwheat.  

Notice of MetroParks Special Board Meeting

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The Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will hold a Special Meeting on Monday, April 10, 2017, at 6 p.m. at the MetroParks Farm. Agenda items are (and any other business as deemed necessary by the Board of Commissioners):

  • Finance Director’s Report
  • Rules and Regulations for Wet Playground use
  • Bid Tabulations for Lanterman’s Mill Wheel Replacement
  • Volunteer geese counting motion
  • Background check policies

The Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will hold a Work Session immediately following this Special Meeting.

Mill Creek MetroParks Re-Opens Chestnut Hill Drive

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Effective Friday, March 31, 2017, Chestnut Hill Drive, between Canfield Road and High Drive, has re-opened to vehicular traffic.

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. For more information about Mill Creek MetroParks, visit our website at www.millcreekmetroparks.org.

 

Notice of Development Standing Committee Meeting

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The Development Standing Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks, will meet on Monday, April 3, 2017 at 4 pm in Classroom A at the MetroParks Farm in Canfield.

Mill Creek MetroParks Drive Closure

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Beginning on Monday, April 3, 2017, West Golf Drive (from the Golf Course parking lot to Shields Road) will be closed to vehicular traffic from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm for aggregate shoulder work. The work is expected to last for several days. Access to the Golf Course will be maintained from Route 224 during this time.

In the event of inclement weather, the work schedule will be delayed and adjusted accordingly. 

 

Celebrate Spring at Mill Creek MetroParks

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Celebrate Spring and discover the delights of daffodils during Daffodil Weekend at Fellows Riverside Gardens (123 McKinley Avenue, Youngstown). Enter your perfect bloom in the daffodil show at the Davis Center on Friday, April 7 from 3 pm – 5 pm and Saturday, April 8 from 8 am – 10 am. The daffodil show will be open to the public, free of charge Saturday, April 8 from 1 pm – 5 pm and Sunday, April 9 from 10 am – 5 pm. Take a stroll through the Gardens on a guided walk on April 8 at 2 pm to see over 200 different species and cultivars in the Narcissus collection. Then, stop by Daffodil Meadow, located along Lake Newport, to enjoy more beautiful blooms. 

On Sunday, April 9 visit Mill Creek MetroParks Farm (7574 Columbiana-Canfield Rd, Canfield) for the Annual Farm Animal Baby Shower, sponsored by 21 WFMJ / WBCB. This is a free, family-friendly event. Families are encouraged to visit anytime between 10 am – 4 pm to meet new arrivals to the MetroParks Farm including goats, lambs and bottle baby calf (all born this spring), chicks, ducks, turkeys, geese, and more. There will also be mother animals who are still expecting. Bring cameras for great photo opportunities. Cake and punch will be served while supplies last.

On Sunday, April 9 award winning photographer Paul Bannick, the lens behind “The Owl and the Wookpecker” exhibit, will host a free Wildlife Photography Workshop from 1 pm – 2 pm followed by a lecture on Owls from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm at Fellows Riverside Gardens, sponsored by the John S. and Doris M. Andrews Memorial Lecture Series. The workshop will focus on how to photograph wildlife, particularly birds, in the field. Paul covers everything from how to find and approach your subject to how to capture the photos that you imagine. Shortly following, the lecture will take you on a year-long journey of 19 species of owls in their distinct habitats throughout North America. Witness the four seasons, as each stage in an owl’s life is chronicled through rare images. Registration requested, not required by calling Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330.740.7116.

For more information on these events, please call 330.702.3000 or visit our website at www.millcreekmetroparks.org.

North Course at Mill Creek Golf Course Set to Open

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The North Course at the Mill Creek Golf Course is set to open for the 2017 golf season on Monday, March 27 at 10 am. The Donald Ross-designed championship 36-hole Mill Creek Golf Course is located at 1 West Golf Dr., Boardman, OH 44512. Hole #55 will open on Saturday, April 1 at 9 am. The Practice Facility and South Course at the Mill Creek Golf Course are set to open mid-April.

Call 330.740.7112 for the most up-to-date status of the Course in case of inclement weather. For more information about the Mill Creek Golf Course or to make a tee time, visit our website at www.millcreekmetroparks.org.