NEWS

Mill Creek MetroParks Welcomes Runners for Annual Distance Classic: Temporary Road Closures

Mill Creek MetroParks will host the Youngstown Road Runners Club Mill Creek Distance Classic Half Marathon and 5 Mile Run on Sunday, March 22, 2026. To ensure the safety of participants and spectators, the following will be temporarily closed to vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Roads & Facilities Affected:

  • West Newport Drive
  • Old Mill Drive
  • Kreider’s Entrance
  • East Newport Drive
  • Memorial Hill Drive
  • Robinson Hill Drive
  • East Cohasset Hike & Bike Trail
  • East Park Hike & Bike Trail
  • East Park Drive
  • Chestnut Hill Drive
  • Valley Drive
  • High Drive
  • West Cohasset Drive
  • West Park Drive
  • New Cross Drive
  • Cross Drive
  • Bears Den Drive

Limited Access Areas:

Access to Ford Nature Center will only be available via Volney Road from Glenwood Avenue during the race. Access to the Lily Pond will only be available via the McCollum Road entrance onto Birch Hill Drive.

As always, we remind drivers to use caution on MetroParks roads, as they are shared with pedestrians and cyclists. Likewise, pedestrians and cyclists should remain aware of vehicular traffic for a safe and enjoyable park experience.

Notice of March Board Meeting

The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, March 9, 2026, at 5:00 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 2:00 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.

Mill Creek MetroParks urges caution to public amid bird flu outbreak

The Mill Creek MetroParks is urging parkgoers to use caution because of a bird flu outbreak.

The bird flu, also known as Avian Influenza, is a highly contagious disease that can spread between birds and other forms of wildlife and even humans if they come into contact with the carrier.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the bird flu is causing outbreaks across the country.

Last week, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Officers began investigating concerns of a bird flu outbreak in the City of Warren after 40 geese were found dead in its parks.

The Natural Resources Manager with the Mill Creek MetroParks, Rachel Sobnosky, tells 21 News there are currently no reports of dead birds at the park.

Sobnosky is urging people who visit the park to use caution, and if they find a dead bird, to keep a safe distance, do not touch or attempt to move the bird, and keep pets at a safe distance.

If a dead or sickly bird is found at the park, Sobnosky encourages the finder to email rsobnosky@millcreekmetroparks.org to report it.

Read the original article at WFMJ.