Many golfers in the valley have speculated that the Mill Creek and Tippecanoe golf courses may close for the rest of the season as they continue to clean up fallen trees from the course.
21 News reached out to the courses to confirm whether or not they plan to reopen for the season.
Tippecanoe country club was not able to say what their timeline for reopening may be.
However, Aaron Young, executive director of Mill Creek Metroparks, told 21 News that they plan to reopen their golf facilities, but the timeline is still up in the air. He said they are currently discussing bringing in a third party contractor to aid Metroparks staff in cleaning the course.
Mill Creek is also home to several golf events over the summer, Young says organizers for this weeks scheduled events have been contacted about rescheduling, but future events have not yet been addressed.
Todd Franko, the owner of the annual Greatest Golfer event, said he is hopeful that the tournament will still be held at Mill Creek Park this season.
“In the golf economy there’s fundraisers, there’s our event, there’s a lot of people that look forward to their annual golf events,” Franko explained. “So it’s a key facility and we’re optimistic that the guys know what they’re doing and we’re just eager for them to pull through, because mother nature gave them a test.”
Young said that no members of the Mill Creek staff have considered shutting the course down for the rest of the season.
“We do anticipate reopening the golf course, but at this early juncture it’s dependent on the success of the cleanup efforts that are ongoing.”
Franko told 21 News that regardless of whether or not the park is open the Greatest Golfer tournament will still be played, just at a different course in the valley.
“We’ve had some storms in the past that have had us doing some shuffling at the last minute. So I think our plan is if Mill Creek has the challenges they have and it does get in the way for August seventh, we’ll reach out to the other valley courses and see if we can find some space.”
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 Staff2026-07-13 09:51:272026-07-13 09:51:27Timeline unclear to reopen damaged golf courses
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, July 13, 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. A meeting of the Public Records Commission will be held prior to the Regular Board Meeting at 4:30 p.m., at the same location.
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 Staff2026-07-10 09:31:492026-07-10 09:31:49Notice of Board of Park Commissioners July Board Meeting
09/01/26: Smythe Island and Davies Wetland Trail is Now Open. After weeks of cleanup from the July 5, 2026, tornado and storm that directly impacted the southern section of Mill Creek Park, Smythe Island and the Davies Wetland Trail at Newport Wetlands have reopened for public use. MetroParks personnel worked diligently to address fallen and damaged trees that impacted the island, picnic areas, hiking trail, and boardwalk trail throughout this section of the Newport Wetlands. Reopening of Smythe Island marks the completion of storm cleanup in Mill Creek Park north of Shields Road. Park patrons are reminded to stay on designated trails throughout this and all areas of Mill Creek Park.
08/24/26: East Golf Hike & Bike is Now Open. After weeks of cleanup from the July 5, 2026, tornado and storm that directly impacted the southern section of Mill Creek Park, East Golf Hike & Bike Trail has reopened for public use. MetroParks personnel worked diligently to address fallen and damaged trees that impacted the hike & bike trail, parking lots, picnic areas, and connecting neighborhood trails between US Route 224 and Shields Road. Park patrons are reminded to stay on the East Golf Hike & Bike Trail when accessing this area of Mill Creek Park. The Fording Bridge (overflow lot) spur trail, West Golf Drive, and the Mill Creek Golf Course remain closed to all park patrons, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists, until further notice. Please respect the posted closure signage for your safety and the safety of others.
8/6/26: West Golf Drive from Shields Road to Stitt Pavilion is NOW OPEN. Stitt Pavilion and the Recreation Field are also open and accessible to visitors. The Mill Creek Golf Course, East Golf Hike & Bike Trail and West Golf Drive from Stitt Pavilion to Rt. 224 will remain closed until further notice. Please respect the posted closure signage for your safety and the safety of others.
7/20/26: West Newport Drive is NOW OPEN.
7/20/26: West Newport Drive will close Monday, July 20 for storm clean up. The drive will reopen by the end of the day.
7/16/26: West Newport Drive will close on Thursday July 16, to continue backyard tree cleanup related to the recent storm damage. The road will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 17 to allow crews to safely complete the work.
7/15/26: West Newport Drive will reopen Wednesday, July 15 at 4 p.m. However, crews will need to close the road again on Thursday July 16, to continue backyard tree cleanup related to the recent storm damage. The road will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 16 to allow crews to safely complete the work.
7/14/26: West Newport Drive Closure – West Newport Drive will be closed on Wednesday, July 15 while crews perform backyard tree work. The closure is expected to remain in effect throughout the day. Once the work is complete and the area is safe, the road will reopen by the end of the day.
7/9/26: E NEWPORT DR. IS NOW OPEN.
7/7/26: W. NEWPORT DR. IS NOW OPEN.
7/6/26: Due to damage from the July 5th storms, the following areas are closed until further notice:
Mill Creek Golf Course
W. Golf Dr.
East Golf Hike & Bike Trail
UPDATE (7/9/26): Smythe Island/Wetlands Area
Please avoid these areas and take alternate routes while crews assess the damage and complete cleanup efforts. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to safely reopen these locations.
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 Staff2026-07-06 10:16:452026-09-02 08:17:06Temporary Closures Due to Storm Damage
Timeline unclear to reopen damaged golf courses
/in Media Coverage/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffMany golfers in the valley have speculated that the Mill Creek and Tippecanoe golf courses may close for the rest of the season as they continue to clean up fallen trees from the course.
21 News reached out to the courses to confirm whether or not they plan to reopen for the season.
Tippecanoe country club was not able to say what their timeline for reopening may be.
However, Aaron Young, executive director of Mill Creek Metroparks, told 21 News that they plan to reopen their golf facilities, but the timeline is still up in the air. He said they are currently discussing bringing in a third party contractor to aid Metroparks staff in cleaning the course.
Mill Creek is also home to several golf events over the summer, Young says organizers for this weeks scheduled events have been contacted about rescheduling, but future events have not yet been addressed.
Todd Franko, the owner of the annual Greatest Golfer event, said he is hopeful that the tournament will still be held at Mill Creek Park this season.
“In the golf economy there’s fundraisers, there’s our event, there’s a lot of people that look forward to their annual golf events,” Franko explained. “So it’s a key facility and we’re optimistic that the guys know what they’re doing and we’re just eager for them to pull through, because mother nature gave them a test.”
Young said that no members of the Mill Creek staff have considered shutting the course down for the rest of the season.
“We do anticipate reopening the golf course, but at this early juncture it’s dependent on the success of the cleanup efforts that are ongoing.”
Franko told 21 News that regardless of whether or not the park is open the Greatest Golfer tournament will still be played, just at a different course in the valley.
“We’ve had some storms in the past that have had us doing some shuffling at the last minute. So I think our plan is if Mill Creek has the challenges they have and it does get in the way for August seventh, we’ll reach out to the other valley courses and see if we can find some space.”
Read the original article at WFMJ.
Notice of Board of Park Commissioners July 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, July 13, 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. A meeting of the Public Records Commission will be held prior to the Regular Board Meeting at 4:30 p.m., at the same location.
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.
Temporary Closures Due to Storm Damage
/in Closures/by Mill Creek MetroParks Staff09/01/26: Smythe Island and Davies Wetland Trail is Now Open. After weeks of cleanup from the July 5, 2026, tornado and storm that directly impacted the southern section of Mill Creek Park, Smythe Island and the Davies Wetland Trail at Newport Wetlands have reopened for public use. MetroParks personnel worked diligently to address fallen and damaged trees that impacted the island, picnic areas, hiking trail, and boardwalk trail throughout this section of the Newport Wetlands. Reopening of Smythe Island marks the completion of storm cleanup in Mill Creek Park north of Shields Road. Park patrons are reminded to stay on designated trails throughout this and all areas of Mill Creek Park.
8/6/26: West Golf Drive from Shields Road to Stitt Pavilion is NOW OPEN. Stitt Pavilion and the Recreation Field are also open and accessible to visitors. The Mill Creek Golf Course, East Golf Hike & Bike Trail and West Golf Drive from Stitt Pavilion to Rt. 224 will remain closed until further notice. Please respect the posted closure signage for your safety and the safety of others.
7/20/26: West Newport Drive is NOW OPEN.
7/20/26: West Newport Drive will close Monday, July 20 for storm clean up. The drive will reopen by the end of the day.
7/16/26: West Newport Drive will close on Thursday July 16, to continue backyard tree cleanup related to the recent storm damage. The road will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 17 to allow crews to safely complete the work.
7/15/26: West Newport Drive will reopen Wednesday, July 15 at 4 p.m. However, crews will need to close the road again on Thursday July 16, to continue backyard tree cleanup related to the recent storm damage. The road will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 16 to allow crews to safely complete the work.
7/14/26: West Newport Drive Closure – West Newport Drive will be closed on Wednesday, July 15 while crews perform backyard tree work. The closure is expected to remain in effect throughout the day. Once the work is complete and the area is safe, the road will reopen by the end of the day.
7/9/26: E NEWPORT DR. IS NOW OPEN.
7/7/26: W. NEWPORT DR. IS NOW OPEN.