Mill Creek MetroParks Wick Recreation Area Par 3 Course to open April 10

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The Mill Creek MetroParks Par 3 Golf Course, located in the James L. Wick, Jr. Recreation Area, will open April 10. The Par 3 Golf Course is a popular 18-hole Par 3 course for golfers of all ages. In addition, the batting cages, tennis courts and sand volleyball courts also located at the Wick Recreation Area will open April 10. Hours are 8 a.m. to dark. Lighted night hours of 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. will begin Memorial Day weekend.

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

Wick Recreation Area Par 3 Course to open April 10

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Located in the James L. Wick, Jr. Recreation Area, the Par 3 Golf Course is a popular 18-hole Par 3 course for golfers of all ages and will also open on April 10. In addition, the batting cages, tennis courts and sand volleyball courts also located at the Wick Recreation Area will open April 10. Hours are 8 a.m. to dark, with lighted night hours of 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. beginning Memorial Day weekend.

For more information about James L. Wick, Jr. Recreation Area, visit our website at www.millcreekmetroparks.org.

Plant the Seed to Read Children’s Book Festival

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Plant the Seed to Read, the Youngstown Area Children’s Book Festival, will be held Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Mill Creek MetroParks’ Fellows Riverside Gardens. This eighth annual event is presented by Western Reserve Public Media, the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County, Mill Creek MetroParks and the Altrusa Club of Youngstown. Admission is free.

Plant the Seed to Read is a family-friendly event that brings together authors, illustrators, book characters, storytellers and hands-on activities for children to promote literacy in the Mahoning Valley. The theme of this year’s Children’s Book Festival is “Reading Road Trip.” There will be storytelling from special guest readers throughout the D. D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center. Special guests also include storyteller and actor Tim Hartman, author Nancy Roe Pimm, author Nancy K. Wallace and author Paul Orshocki. Children can also visit the Western Reserve PBS booth area to meet and pose for photos with Daniel Tiger and Princess Presto (please bring cameras/smartphones for photos). Strollers are not permitted inside the building during this event – stroller parking will be available. Sign language interpreting will also be available. For more information, call Mill Creek MetroParks at 330.740.7116.

More information about presenting organizations:

• Western Reserve Public Media: http://westernreservepublicmedia.org/

• The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County: http://www.libraryvisit.org/

• Mill Creek MetroParks: http://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/

• Altrusa Club of Youngstown: http://districtfive.altrusa.org/club-locations/ohio-clubs/Youngstown/Youngstown-ClubNews.aspx

 

More information about special guests:

• Tim Hartman: http://www.timhartman.com/

• Paul Orshoski: http://paulorshoski.com/

• Nancy Roe Pimm: http://www.nancyroepimm.com/

• Nancy K. Wallace: http://www.nancykwallace.com

Eighth Annual Plant the Seed to Read Youngstown Area Children’s Book Festival held April 12

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Plant the Seed to Read, the Youngstown Area Children’s Book Festival, will be held Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Mill Creek MetroParks’ Fellows Riverside Gardens. This eighth annual event is presented by Western Reserve Public Media, the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County, Mill Creek MetroParks and the Altrusa Club of Youngstown. Admission is free.

Plant the Seed to Read is a family-friendly event that brings together authors, illustrators, book characters, storytellers and hands-on activities for children to promote literacy in the Mahoning Valley. The theme of this year’s Children’s Book Festival is “Reading Road Trip.” There will be storytelling from special guest readers throughout the D. D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center. Special guests also include storyteller and actor Tim Hartman, author Nancy Roe Pimm, author Nancy K. Wallace and author Paul Orshocki. Children can also visit the Western Reserve PBS booth area to meet and pose for photos with Daniel Tiger and Princess Presto (please bring cameras/smartphones for photos). Strollers are not permitted inside the building during this event – stroller parking will be available. Sign language interpreting will also be available. For more information, call Mill Creek MetroParks at 330.740.7116.

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

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The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife is scheduled to deliver approximately 2,500 catchable-size rainbow trout to Lake Glacier Boathouse on Thursday, April 10 between 10:30 a.m. – noon.

When the truck arrives, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) officials will attach plastic tubes to the side of the tank, open the gates behind the tubes, and water containing the trout will pour out through the tubes and into Lake Glacier. The release is over quickly, though the difference in water temperatures between the truck and lake usually put the fish into a brief state of shock so there may be an opportunity to see them up close before they swim away.

ODNR Division of Wildlife officials are authorized to inspect all catches and anglers must have the required state licenses. Those wishing to catch trout are reminded that:

  • Licenses are required and Mill Creek MetroParks Police officers are authorized to check for them
  • Foul-hooks are not permitted
  • There is a bag limit of 5 trout per angler per day
  • Fish are donated by the ODNR Division of Wildlife

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 Reopens Roads Closed During Winter

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Effective the afternoon of Friday, April 4, the following roads in Mill Creek Park will reopen to vehicular traffic:

• 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

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.

Mill Creek MetroParks to hold Farm Animal Baby Shower

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Mill Creek MetroParks will hold its annual Farm Animal Baby Shower on Sunday, April 6 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield. This is a free, family-friendly event.

Families are encouraged to come anytime between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. to meet new arrivals to the MetroParks Farm including triplet goats, twin 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.

Farm Animal Baby Shower is also the official opening of the barns at the MetroParks Farm. Barns will be open for the public to come and view the animals Monday through Friday from 9 am – 4 pm, and Sunday from 1 pm – 4 pm through October. Baby animals and their mothers will be here all spring. For more information, please call 330.702.3000 or visit our website at www.millcreekmetroparks.org.

Master Gardener classes begin at Fellows Riverside Gardens

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The Master Gardener Program at Fellows Riverside Gardens, a comprehensive course in horticulture suitable for both beginners and intermediate gardeners, is now underway. Participants will learn about caring for plants within the beautiful setting of Fellows Riverside Gardens in Mill Creek MetroParks. Sessions include lectures and hands-on labs on garden design, roses, tree & shrub pruning, herbaceous perennials and many more topics of interest to the home gardener. The program consists of 12 sessions, nine hands-on labs, a take-home final exam and 40 hours volunteer work/practical experience to be completed at Fellows Riverside Gardens. This course runs through October. For more information about attending, call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330.740.7116.

Last Weekend for Skating on Mill Creek MetroParks’ Lily Pond

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Mother Nature provided a great opportunity for Mill Creek MetroParks to allow ice skating on the Lily Pond for the past few weeks. As we look toward spring, Mill Creek MetroParks will hold one final weekend of ice skating on the Lily Pond before the pond closes. Final days for supervised skating will be Friday, February 28 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, March 2 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Bring your skates (no skate rental is available) for one last weekend of outdoor skating fun.

We were happy to provide this opportunity to the community and are glad so many were able to enjoy pond skating. MetroParks officials would like to thank the public for their support and hope visitors continue to make Mill Creek MetroParks their recreation destination for all seasons. Mill Creek MetroParks officials would also like to remind visitors that due to the fluctuating temperatures, trails throughout the MetroParks might be slippery. Visitors and hikers should use caution when on these trails.

Thomas J. Bresko named OPRA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner…Retired Mill Creek MetroParks Director honored February 4

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Retired Mill Creek MetroParks Director Thomas J. Bresko has been named the 2013 Harvey Woods Lifetime Achievement Award winner by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA). Bresko was honored at the annual OPRA Awards Celebration on February 4, 2014, at the Kalahari Conference Center.

“It is truly an honor to receive this award,” Bresko said. “I must thank my many coworkers and volunteers who supported me during my three-decade plus career at Mill Creek MetroParks. This recognition would never have happened without them.”

Bresko began his career with Mill Creek MetroParks in the summer of 1973 on a seasonal labor crew. After graduating from Ohio State University in 1975, Bresko remained employed with the MetroParks through the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act program, and worked in maintenance for two years between the Par 3 Golf Course and Fellows Riverside Gardens. He was named Recreation Director in 1977 after the current director resigned unexpectedly. Bresko spent the next 32 years as Recreation Director, the longest term to date. During his tenure, he shaped and expanded programs and annual special events like Sunfest, Sunset at the Farm and Easter Eggstravaganza. He also nurtured collaborations with numerous organizations for the purpose of holding their special events, especially foot races and walks throughout Mill Creek MetroParks.

In 1982, Bresko took on additional administrative duties of Ford Nature Center and Lanterman’s Mill. He was very involved in the conversion of Mill Creek Park to a metropolitan park district, Mill Creek MetroParks, in 1989. After the conversion Bresko also took on administrative duties of MetroParks Farm, Yellow Creek Park, Vickers Nature Preserve and McGuffey Wildlife Preserve. Bresko became MetroParks Interim Executive Director in September 2009 until he was named Deputy Director in December 2010 and served until his retirement October 1, 2011. The Board of Park Commissioners named the pavilion in Wick Recreation Area the Thomas J. Bresko Pavilion in a resolution in 2011.

“I worked with Tom for 15 years and learned to appreciate his love for the MetroParks,” said Dennis Miller, Mill Creek MetroParks Executive Director. “Tom is a well-deserved winner of this award.”

About the OPRA Harvey Woods Lifetime Achievement Award

Harvey Woods served as a parks and recreation professional not only in his day-to-day tasks, but also by mentoring young professionals and serving OPRA and NRPA. This award is presented to an outstanding individual who has emulated this work, with a minimum of 30 years of service within parks and recreation.

About Mill Creek MetroParks

Mill Creek Park was established in 1891 by Volney Rogers as the first park district in Ohio. In 1989, the diverse lands now known as Mill Creek MetroParks officially became a metropolitan park district, providing visitors of all ages the opportunity to relish “the gem” of Mahoning County. From the casual visitor to the local explorer, Mill Creek MetroParks offers a natural escape and recreational activities for the enjoyment of all ages.

The mission of Mill Creek MetroParks is to provide park, recreational and open space facilities of regional significance. In fulfilling this mission, our objectives are to be responsive to community needs; to be environmentally sound; to be adaptable; and to be economically feasible.

To explore, experience and enjoy Mill Creek MetroParks, please visit www.millcreekmetroparks.org or call 330.702.3000. Like us on Facebook (Mill Creek MetroParks) and follow us on Twitter (@millcreekmetro) and Instagram (millcreekmetroparks).