Mill Creek Metroparks unveil 2022 improvement plans

The community will see improvements in trails, signage, pavilions, restrooms, nature preserves and wildlife sanctuaries.

It’ll be a busy year for Mill Creek Metroparks as many areas and attractions will start improvements in 2022.

This year, the park is expected to reach a 5,000 acre span, 50 miles of trails and see 15 Mahoning County jurisdictions.

“We are purchasing more land and we are planning on closing on those purchases in the first quarter of 2022,” said Aaron Young, Executive Director of Mill Creek Metroparks.

The community will see improvements in trails, signage, pavilions, restrooms, nature preserves and wildlife sanctuaries.

“The year 2022 begins our second five-year capital improvement plan,” Young told 21 News’ Erin Simonek, “We anticipate continuing that moving forward and improving all aspects of the Metroparks.”

Lanterman’s Mill, Fellows Riverside Gardens and and the Metroparks Farm will also see upgrades. The farm will even feature an NCAA cross-country course.

“We can partner with our local educational facilities to the college level on down to the high school level, and be that platform for cross-country meets,” Young added.

The park plans to expand the bike trial from Western Reserve Road to the Mahoning County line but because of the ongoing eminent domain battle, they might not begin construction until 2023.

Golf lovers will see the new golf simulator at Mill Creek’s course.

“The golf simulation projects will be the upstairs at the current Metroparks Fieldhouse,” Young added.

2022 capital improvements will come with a price tag of about $2.7 million.

“Regardless of what you enjoy, by partaking and visiting the Metroparks, we hope to improve that experience for you,” Young said about these improvements.

Park officials are also raising full and part time employees wages by 3%.

The Ford Nature Center is also expected to open in June 2022.

Read the Original Article at WFMJ.