The Mercy Health Foundation’s American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Junior All-Star Event and AJGA Preview Events took place the week of June 20, 2022, at Mill Creek Golf Course. The tournaments hosted 276 junior competitors, including eight junior players who earned their spot in a Sunday regional qualifier event for the Junior All Star with a field of 156 players. Over 150+ volunteers, 39 college coaches from all over the United States, and two dozen staff and interns from the AJGA were also in attendance at the 2022 tournament.

The AJGA tournament had an economic impact in the Mahoning Valley of $408,097.00 in 2022 and a total of $2,227,491.00 since its inception in 2016. This impact includes lodging for families and AJGA representatives, rental cars, dining, and entertainment spending. In addition, an $8,950.00 donation was made between the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation and the AJGA Ace Grant which came from monies raised for the AJGA tournament and Junior-Amateur event held on the Monday prior to the main event. To date, the AJGA event has raised over $59,950.00 for local charities and has represented players from all 50 states as well as 29 different countries. Many thanks to the Title Sponsor Mercy Health Foundation and Presenting Sponsors which included the Mahoning County Convention & Visitor Bureau, Fox Sports, Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation, Shark, TransAmerica as well as multiple local companies/businesses that were hole partners throughout the event week.

Alexa Ouellet of Toronto, Ontario, Canada was the female champion coming in at one under par (209) and Brayden Miller of Goshen, Indiana was the male champion with a score of four under par (206) for the week for the Mercy Health Foundation AJGA Junior All Star Tournament.

Hazel Cottriel from Costa Mesa, California was the female champion coming in at two over par (142) and Colton Lusk from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania was the male champion with a score of four over par (144) for the week for the Mercy Health Foundation AJGA Junior Preview Tournament.

Mill Creek Golf Course would like to thank all the spectators who were in attendance for the event as well as media partners YSN, WFMJ, WKBN, 1240 WBBW, 570 WKBN, Tribune Chronicle, and The Vindicator for their extensive coverage during the week.

The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, October 17, 2022, at 6 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 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Beginning Thursday, October 6, 2022, West Newport Trail in Mill Creek Park will be closed for a trail rehabilitation project. Work will consist of necessary earthwork, installation of stormwater conduit, installation of aggregate trail surface, and miscellaneous related items.

The project is expected to last approximately forty-five (45) days in total, barring any inclement weather that would delay or prolong the anticipated project schedule.

Please contact Mill Creek MetroParks at 330-702-3000 for additional project information.

Mill Creek MetroParks presents Pumpkin Walk at Twilight on Sunday, October 16, 2022 until 8:00 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens (123 McKinley Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44509). Beginning at 4:00 p.m., families can take part in the wonders of the fall season as they walk along the pumpkin-lined paths as the day turns to night. Be sure and visit Scarecrow Row, a new attraction in 2022, located near the Margaret Cushwa Education Building. Scarecrow Row features various scarecrows dressed and decorated by local area non-profit organizations. This free, outdoor event is open to the public and sponsored by 21 WFMJ/WBCB. During the evening, refreshments will be available for purchase inside the Garden Café by Kravitz and by the OH Donut Co. donut truck. Mill Creek MetroParks branded merchandise will also be available for purchase at the event.

On October 14, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., join us for family-friendly pumpkin carving. The finished pumpkins will be displayed during Pumpkin Walk at Twilight. The outdoor carving area will be located in a section of the parking lot at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Pumpkins and carving tools will be supplied or feel free to bring your own carving tools. Carving will continue while pumpkin supplies last. Carved pumpkins cannot be taken with you before, during, or after the event – they are to be displayed at the Pumpkin Walk event. Groups of 10 or more should call ahead. This event is also free and open to the public of all ages.

For questions and more information, please call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330.740.7116.