Mill Creek MetroParks opens new local location

/in , /by

People who live in Springfield Township have a new place to experience nature.

Just in time for the holiday weekend, the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation opened a forest property.

The 88-acre site offers hiking trails, a boardwalk, a fishing pier and views of the water.

It’s on Springfield Road just north of the I-76 bridge. This is the first Mill Creek MetroParks area in Springfield Township.

“Parks in general are obviously a benefit to the community. They improve quality of life, getting people out to appreciate natural features,” said Justin Rogers of the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation.

The Clean Ohio Conservation Fund and the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation paid for the improvements to the property.

Read the original article at WKBN.

Lanterman’s Mill closed until Wednesday after death of long-time manager

/in /by

Mill Creek Park MetroParks released a press statement about why Lanterman’s Mill has been closed since Friday.

Greg O’Neal, the mill’s manager for the last 11 years, died after suffering a severe cardiac event, according to the press release. O’Neal was transported from the mill Friday afternoon to a local hospital but later died.

The statement from Jaime Yohman, Community Engagement Director for the parks, said, “Greg will long be remembered as a fixture of Lanterman’s Mill where his dedication and passion for the MetroParks will be greatly missed by his colleagues and visitors alike.”

Lanterman’s Mill will reopen to the public on Wednesday from 10 am to 5 pm.

 

Read the original article at WFMJ.

Bears Den Run Stream Rehabilitation Project

/in , /by

Beginning on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, West Park Drive will be closed between Lily Pond Drive and West Glacier Drive to facilitate the Bears Den Run stream restoration project. This project includes stream restoration along the channel of the Bears Den Run tributary and work within the historic footprint of Mirror Pond.

This project is anticipated to be completed within 10 days. In the event of inclement weather, the work schedule will be delayed and adjusted accordingly.

Mini forest takes root in Boardman

/in /by

A group of Youngstown State University students took part in a project Thursday along Mill Creek MetroParks’ Collier Preserve to plant 1,650 trees to create a mini forest.

The project along Western Reserve Road near New Buffalo Road is being carried out by the YSU Legacy Forest committee, which bought the trees. It aims to plant 1,650 trees at the site.

One goal of the project is to remove carbon from the air, said Lauren Schroeder, who is part of the committee.

Another goal is to plant one tree for every incoming freshman student at YSU this academic year.

The Arbor Day Foundation paid for the trees.

This is the second year the trees have been planted on the site.

Nine species of trees were planted, said Nick Derico, natural resources manager for the MetroParks.

The Mill Creeks MetroParks Foundation bought the tubes and stakes for the project, which is expected to continue for at least one more year, Derico said. The tubes will protect the

trees for about 10 years and stop them from being damaged by wildlife, such as deer.

The YSU Legacy Forest Project also seeks to increase awareness of climate warming and its consequences. The group is supported by the Mahoning County Land Bank, Arbor Day Foundation, the YSU Foundation, and YSU.

 

Read the original article at The Vindicator.

Christmas at the Mill returns to the Valley

/in /by

A long-running tradition returned to the Valley on Saturday — the annual Christmas at the Mill.

Craft vendors, food trucks and lots of music could be heard at Lanterman’s Mill.

The community donated mittens, scarves, hats and gloves to hang on the Giving Tree. All the items will be donated to a local charity.

“It is all about community and its gathering time, people are home with their families to celebrate the holiday then to continue that celebration through the whole weekend,” said Lynn Zocolo with Mill Creek MetroParks.

Santa also made a visit from the North Pole.

 

Read the original article at WYTV.

Olde Fashioned Christmas at the Mill returns to Mill Creek MetroParks

/in /by

The holiday season is upon us and that means it’s time to get into the Christmas spirit.

And there’s no better way to do that in the Mahoning Valley than with Olde Fashioned Christmas at the Mill.

Lanterman’s Mill is dressed in holiday finery for this traditional, family-friendly and free event.

Olde Fashioned Christmas at the Mill is being held Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is sponsored by 21 WFMJ.

There’s something for everyone at the event – you can taste chestnuts roasted on an open fire, buy unique handmade gifts, have a visit with Santa and more.

Mill Creek MetroParks is also having a “giving tree” at the event for those attending to donate a new hat, scarf, or pair of gloves for children in need.

 

Read the original article at WFMJ.

Mill Creek park drive closing for improvements

/in /by

Mill Creek MetroParks will be closing a park drive starting Tuesday, November 29.

Due to improvement and resurfacing work, the park will be closing the northern section of East Newport Drive between Kreider’s Entrance and Kiwatha Drive to all vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

Access to the East Newport Boat Launch and Daffodil Meadow will be prohibited.

The closure should last to weeks, if not delayed by inclement weather.

 

Read the original article at WFMJ.

Chestnut Hill Drive Closure

/in /by

Beginning on April 20, 2022, Chestnut Hill Drive in Mill Creek Park will be closed for several days to all vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic to accommodate for completion of the Old Orchard Bridge rehabilitation project. Crews will be onsite to plane and pave sections of roadway and to finalize various bridge improvements.

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

Cleanup day at Mill Creek Park seeking more volunteers

/in /by

BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) – With over 40 locations in the Mill Creek MetroParks system, more participants are needed for its 40th Earth Day Cleanup.

Although more than 150 Scouts and volunteers are expected to scour Mill Creek MetroParks in recognition of Earth Day to remove winter buildup of litter and debris, more help is needed, especially along shorelines and creeks.

The cleanup is co-sponsored by the Stambaugh District, Great Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America and Mill Creek MetroParks.

The cleanup takes place on Saturday, April 23, throughout Mill Creek MetroParks.

Coordinators will stop by the Bresko Pavilion at the Wick Recreation Area (Rocky Ridge) to pick up supplies before 9 a.m. and then meet with their groups at various locations and work until noon.

This cleanup takes place rain or shine.

In 39 years, more than 13,000 participants have volunteered more than 40,000 hours to clean various areas of the MetroParks.

Just in the past 20 years, more than 23,000 bags of trash and 1,500 bags of recyclables along with numerous loose items such as tires, toys, furniture, pipes, wood crates, electronic items, and even the proverbial kitchen sink, have been removed.

This event is also in conjunction with the Keep America Beautiful program and is celebrating the Great American Cleanup’s 24th year in 2022, between March 21 to June 22.

For more information about this year’s cleanup or to have your group, organization, church, school, business, family, or individuals come out and lend a hand, contact Mike Kupec, Mill Creek MetroParks Earth Day Cleanup Chairman for the Boy Scouts, at mike.kupec@gmail.com by Apr. 11.

Read the original article at WKBN.

Mill Creek Junior Golf Association wins award

/in /by

Mill Creek Golf Courses’ American Junior Association Junior All Star Tournament has won an award of excellence.

The all star tournament placed first in the sports category for the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association 2021 Annual Awards of Excellence.

“We are thrilled to be recognized for the work that we are doing to impact the local community and the dedication demonstrated by the Golf & Recreation Department here at Mill Creek MetroParks,” said Aaron Young, executive director.

The Mill Creek MetroParks created a partnership with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) back in 2015. This was done to bring a national event to Ohio. Then, in 2016, the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation AJGA Junior All Star Tournament was born.

Last year, the AJGA hosted the standard Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation Junior All Star event. In addition, there was an AJGA Preview Event allowing the course to host two 54-hole tournaments with 100 player qualifiers.

The tournament brought in 40 plus college golf coaches from all around the country to recruit players.

“It’s a great way to showcase the MetroParks and the Golf Course all while giving back to our local community,” said Brian Tolnar, PGA golf director.

According to a release from Mill Creek MetroParks, the event has brought roughly a $2 million financial impact to the community in the form of hotel stays, dining, rental cars, shopping and entertainment spending.

The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence were presented at a banquet hosted by the association Tuesday in Sandusky, Ohio.

 

See original article at WKBN.