Mill Creek MetroParks is commencing a project to rehabilitate the existing Lanterman’s Mill parking lot.  The project goals include improving pavement, curbing, and hiking trails, addressing stormwater by replacing conduit and enhancing natural habitat, and constructing a new concrete entrance plaza.

The project will replace existing asphalt curb with new concrete curb, as well as add an overlay of asphalt pavement.  An adjacent natural area will be graded and planted with native species to detain and treat stormwater for short periods of time.  Also, hiking trails will receive new aggregate and a new concrete entrance plaza will be constructed between the parking lot and existing asphalt trail.  Mill Creek MetroParks will cover 100% of the costs for the parking lot rehabilitation project.

Construction is scheduled to begin on Monday, May 2, 2016, with the project expected to be completed by the end of June.  While the Lantermans’ Mill parking lot will be closed throughout the duration of the project, Lanterman’s Mill will remain open following its normal schedule.  The Lanterman’s Mill overflow parking lot on East Park Drive will be open for use by all Lanterman’s Mill and Mill Creek Park visitors. 

Additional information can be obtained by calling Mill Creek MetroParks at 330-702-3000.

Beginning Sunday, May 1 Trailside Bicycle Company will be offering hourly and daily bike rentals from the Kirk Road Trail Head located at 6685 Kirk Road, Canfield. The rentals are being offered as part of a lease agreement between Mill Creek MetroParks and Trailside Bicycle Company.

“This collaboration is a prime example of how Mill Creek MetroParks can partner with local, private companies in expanding recreational opportunities to the community in a cost effective manner. The guys at Trailside Bicycle Company have developed a fine reputation within the biking community and we look forward to having them on the MetroParks Bikeway.” states Aaron Young, Executive Director for Mill Creek MetroParks.

The new rental location will be open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sundays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with the last rental one hour prior to close. They will have adult and children’s size bikes, as well as adult tricycles, and costs will begin at $9 per hour.  The facility will also offer emergency repair services for any cyclists out on the MetroParks Bikeway in need of assistance.

Bryan Ashman, Co-Owner of Trailside Bicycle Company, explains “we see this new location with Mill Creek MetroParks as a great way to offer another service to our community, as well as put more people on bicycles. The hike and bike path is a great outdoor resource in the Valley and we feel that this facility will be a perfect opportunity for both members of the area and visitors to experience a little bit more of what Valley and the MetroParks have to offer.”

May 1 is also the start of National Bike Month. Trailside Bicycle Company will be starting the month with two group rides; one will be a 40-mile group ride at 9:00 a.m., the other a 10:00 a.m. family ride. Both rides will start at Trailside’s flagship location (410 W. Main St., Canfield) with a coffee social. The family ride will stop at Kirk Road Trailhead and then return to the Canfield shop.

For more information visit www.trailsidebicyclecompany.com.

Mill Creek MetroParks will be conducting a public open house at the MetroParks Farm (7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield, OH 44406) on Thursday, May 5, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. to discuss Phase III of the MetroParks Bikeway. The general public is invited to ask questions and share comments about Bikeway Phase III planning and implementation efforts. Phase III is the proposed section of bikeway through Green Township that will connect the existing MetroParks Bikeway at Western Reserve Road to Columbiana County near Route 14 in the Village of Washingtonville. 

Aerial mapping and plan drawings of the project will be on display, and MetroParks personnel will be on-hand to answer questions from the public. Additionally, organizations with a focus on planning, trail development and bicycling will have informational tables set up and staffed. The open house will not include a formal presentation, but written project information and comment sheets will be provided to those who attend.

For several years now, the MetroParks has been working with consultants on the development and implementation of the Bikeway Phase III project. Illustrative mapping with trail alignment, environmental impacts, property identification, and preliminary design for the project have been developed. The open house will give the public a chance to view these documents, ask questions, and interact with personnel from the MetroParks and local agencies. 

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by ODOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 11, 2015, and executed by FHWA and ODOT. The proposed project will not impact any cultural resources, suspect hazardous waste sites or ecological resources. The project will not result in substantial impacts to the environment either individually or cumulatively. In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (codified as 36 CFR 800), ODOT requests information regarding the presence of any known cultural resources in the vicinity of the project. Cultural resources include prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, historic bridges, historic buildings, sites and districts.

Additional information can be obtained by calling Mill Creek MetroParks at 330-702-3000.

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 14. 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.

Mill Creek MetroParks is preparing to celebrate the 125th birthday of Mill Creek Park on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. It was on this day in 1891 that Youngstown voters approved the Ohio legislation to create a township park district, thus giving birth to Mill Creek Park.

Mill Creek MetroParks will be celebrating this milestone throughout 2016 with an assortment of guided hikes, trolley tours, and other themed events. Specific events being held on the Parks’ birthday included:

Happy Birthday Mill Creek Park Trolley Tour: Boards at Ford Nature Center
11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m.
Ride aboard the Cohasset Express to visit and enjoy nostalgic areas of the park which reflect Volney Rogers’ original vision and efforts. Must register in advance, a small fee applies. To register and for more details call 330.740.7107.

Happy 125th Birthday – Hike in Gorge
9 a.m. & 6 p.m.
This recreational hike will meet at Lanterman’s Mill overflow lot. Recreational hikes are generally led by volunteers and tend to be faster paced. This hike is 2 miles.

Ford Nature Center Hunt & Hike
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Stop at Ford Nature Center and hunt up 25 birthday cakes hidden to commemorate the Quasquicentennial (125th anniversary). Once you find all 25 cakes head outside and go for a hike of your choice.

For a full list of April events celebrating the 125th birthday of Mill Creek Park visit www.millcreekmetroparks.org/events.