Mill Creek MetroParks is looking for a new vendor to take over the Garden Cafe inside the Davis Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens.
Mill Creek MetroParks announced in December that the cafe would close Jan. 1 for what it referred to as a “redevelopment phase.” As part of the transition, Kravitz will not be returning to operate the cafe.
Now, Mill Creek is requesting proposals from food and beverage vendors to take over. They are due Jan. 28.
Proposal information should include the company’s name, proposed rent and percentage of sales, qualifications and an equipment list. A W-9, proof of insurance, and worker’s compensation insurance must be provided with the proposal form.
Proposals can be submitted to jjablonski@millcreekmetroparks.org. For questions, call 330.740.7116 ext. 212.
https://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.png00Mill Creek MetroParks Staffhttps://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.pngMill Creek MetroParks Staff2026-01-14 14:39:412026-01-14 14:39:41Hunt begins for new vendor at MetroParks garden cafe
Economic development is coming to Mill Creek Metroparks this year, from projects to infrastructure.
It’s all in an effort to make the park’s operations more efficient and improve their overall quality.
“We’ll be tackling East Glacier drive, the Slippery Rock bridge is a major project that we’re undertaking this year that was funded at 80 percent by a federal grant,” Justin Rogers, director of planning and operations at Mill Creek Metroparks said.
There’s a lot of movement going on around Mill Creek Metroparks in terms of improving roads and bridges.
“We’ll be addressing the infrastructure of the bridge itself, the abutments, piers, decks, sidewalks, railing and making it more accessible and safer,” Rogers said.
At the first meeting of the year, the metroparks board was presented with the 2026 capital improvement project that looks to add to what Mill Creek Metroparks already has to offer. They’re constructing a new service center and children’s garden at Fellows Riverside Gardens.
“It will be almost an acre worth of activities for children to experience horticulture and veggie garden areas and learn and appreciate what’s offered in the natural community,” Rogers said.
A new lodge at Vickers Nature Preserve is also coming down the pipeline.
“The Vicker’s Lodge is going to be consistent with a lot of our other facilities where it’ll be available for private rentals for equestrian programs or events out at Vickers and certainly metroparks programming where if we have hikes or other educational programs we can host it out of that facility,” he said.
More than $1.3 million has been budgeted toward Fellows Riverside Garden improvements including irrigation and signage improvements and cafe interior upgrades among other things.
There is $20,000 budgeted for Collier Preserve habitat improvements, $10,500 for Lanterman’s Mill infrastructure upgrades and deck improvements and $5,000 to Vicker’s lodge to name a few.
Rogers said the goal is for all 2026 capital improvements to wrap up by the end of the year, “ideally toward the beginning of fall.”
https://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.png00Mill Creek MetroParks Staffhttps://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.pngMill Creek MetroParks Staff2026-01-13 08:56:532026-01-13 08:56:53Capital improvement projects underway at Mill Creek Metroparks
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in McMahon Hall at the MetroParks Farm in Canfield. The agenda will be available on the website after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
As a reminder, all weapons are prohibited inside Mill Creek MetroParks facilities. All members of the public attending the meetings will be required to pass through a metal detection device as part of MetroParks safety procedures.
https://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.png00Mill Creek MetroParks Staffhttps://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.pngMill Creek MetroParks Staff2026-01-09 13:04:112026-01-09 13:04:11Notice of January Board Meeting
Hunt begins for new vendor at MetroParks garden cafe
/in Media Coverage/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffMill Creek MetroParks is looking for a new vendor to take over the Garden Cafe inside the Davis Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens.
Mill Creek MetroParks announced in December that the cafe would close Jan. 1 for what it referred to as a “redevelopment phase.” As part of the transition, Kravitz will not be returning to operate the cafe.
Now, Mill Creek is requesting proposals from food and beverage vendors to take over. They are due Jan. 28.
Proposal information should include the company’s name, proposed rent and percentage of sales, qualifications and an equipment list. A W-9, proof of insurance, and worker’s compensation insurance must be provided with the proposal form.
Proposals can be submitted to jjablonski@millcreekmetroparks.org. For questions, call 330.740.7116 ext. 212.
It is unclear when the cafe will reopen.
Read the original article at WKBN.
Capital improvement projects underway at Mill Creek Metroparks
/in Media Coverage/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffEconomic development is coming to Mill Creek Metroparks this year, from projects to infrastructure.
It’s all in an effort to make the park’s operations more efficient and improve their overall quality.
“We’ll be tackling East Glacier drive, the Slippery Rock bridge is a major project that we’re undertaking this year that was funded at 80 percent by a federal grant,” Justin Rogers, director of planning and operations at Mill Creek Metroparks said.
There’s a lot of movement going on around Mill Creek Metroparks in terms of improving roads and bridges.
“We’ll be addressing the infrastructure of the bridge itself, the abutments, piers, decks, sidewalks, railing and making it more accessible and safer,” Rogers said.
At the first meeting of the year, the metroparks board was presented with the 2026 capital improvement project that looks to add to what Mill Creek Metroparks already has to offer. They’re constructing a new service center and children’s garden at Fellows Riverside Gardens.
“It will be almost an acre worth of activities for children to experience horticulture and veggie garden areas and learn and appreciate what’s offered in the natural community,” Rogers said.
A new lodge at Vickers Nature Preserve is also coming down the pipeline.
“The Vicker’s Lodge is going to be consistent with a lot of our other facilities where it’ll be available for private rentals for equestrian programs or events out at Vickers and certainly metroparks programming where if we have hikes or other educational programs we can host it out of that facility,” he said.
More than $1.3 million has been budgeted toward Fellows Riverside Garden improvements including irrigation and signage improvements and cafe interior upgrades among other things.
There is $20,000 budgeted for Collier Preserve habitat improvements, $10,500 for Lanterman’s Mill infrastructure upgrades and deck improvements and $5,000 to Vicker’s lodge to name a few.
Rogers said the goal is for all 2026 capital improvements to wrap up by the end of the year, “ideally toward the beginning of fall.”
Read the original article at WFMJ.
Notice of January Board Meeting
/in Press Releases/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffThe next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in McMahon Hall at the MetroParks Farm in Canfield. The agenda will be available on the website after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
As a reminder, all weapons are prohibited inside Mill Creek MetroParks facilities. All members of the public attending the meetings will be required to pass through a metal detection device as part of MetroParks safety procedures.