E-bikes are growing in popularity on the Mill Creek MetroParks Bikeway, but some riders may be confused by signs along the trail that say “no motorized vehicles, bicycling.”
Under Ohio law, e-bikes are not considered motorized vehicles, and Mill Creek MetroParks’ rules follow state guidance.
The key difference is how they’re powered: motorized bikes run on combustion engines, while e-bikes are electric.
“E-bikes are allowed on our Mill Creek Metro Parks Bikeway,” said Jaime Yohman, Community Engagement Director for Mill Creek MetroParks, “They do follow the same rules as our regular pedal bikes.”
Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are the type of electric bikes permitted on the trail.
While these bikes can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour, the speed limit on the bikeway is capped at 15 miles per hour.
Some e-bikes include throttles, which give riders a boost without pedaling, but all riders are still required to follow the speed limit regardless of what type they’re riding.
The park also has e-bikes available for rent through a partnership with Cruise the Creek at the Kirk Road Trailhead, and all rental bikes have a switch that ensures riders can’t go over 15 miles per hour to comply with park rules.
“We have never had to ban anyone. We’ve given warnings,” Yohman said, “We’ve definitely talked to people to just educate them on why they need to follow the rules when it comes to the speed limit.”
Yohman said park police regularly patrol the trail and issue warnings to riders who exceed the speed limit.
“If there are any visitors that are out and they see any e-bike users exceeding those 15 mile per hour speeds, or any user for that matter, definitely let us know, and we can alert our officers,” she added, “If we do get alerted that it is occurring at a certain section of the bikeway or certain area, we will have our officers out there patrolling more often and more regularly.”
Class 3 e-bikes, which can go up to 28 miles per hour, are not allowed in the park.
Rider Frank Wilke of Portage County said he and his wife are frequent visitors.
“We’ve put almost 900 miles on them this summer so far,” Wilke said, “We try to get out every chance we get. It’s good exercise, beautiful. This trail, since they repaved it, it’s just awesome.”
With e-bike use on the rise, park leaders said they may consider updating signage to ensure the rules crystal clear for riders.
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 Staff2025-10-07 09:45:012025-10-07 09:45:01E-bikes allowed on Mill Creek MetroParks Bikeway, riders must follow 15 mph limit
Mill Creek MetroParks invites the community to celebrate the magic of the fall season at Pumpkin Walk at Twilight on Sunday, October 12, 2025, until 8:00 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens, 123 McKinley Avenue, Youngstown. This free event is open to the public.
Beginning at 4:00 p.m., guests can stroll along pumpkin-lined paths as day turns to night and enjoy the seasonal beauty of Fellows Riverside Gardens. Another highlight of the event is Scarecrow Row, located along the Gardens Trail Loop on the east side of the Kidston Pavilion. Featuring scarecrows dressed and decorated by local organizations. Scarecrow Row will also include the educational feature, “Creatures of the Night,” which will showcase nocturnal species commonly found in Ohio. Scarecrow Row will remain on display from dawn to dusk through October 31, 2025.
During the evening, families can also enjoy live entertainment by The Shoe Shine Boys and watch master pumpkin carving by Ron Roberts. Refreshments will be available from Kravitz’s Garden Café, and exclusive Mill Creek MetroParks event merchandise will be available for purchase.
Free, limited parking will be available on-site and in nearby lots. Please note, Price Road will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking during the event.
In addition, Mill Creek MetroParks is hosting a family-friendly, public pumpkin carving event on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. under the large white tent at the back north end of the parking lot at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Pumpkins and carving tools will be supplied, or participants may bring their own. Finished pumpkins will be displayed during Pumpkin Walk at Twilight. Pumpkin carving is free and open to all ages, and groups of 10 or more are asked to call ahead. Please note that carved pumpkins cannot be taken home.
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 Staff2025-09-25 09:57:462025-09-25 09:58:14Celebrate Fall with Pumpkin Carving and Pumpkin Walk at Fellows Riverside Gardens
Mill Creek MetroParks will host the Youngstown State University Invitational Cross Country Meet on The Gorby Family Championship Cross Country Course at the MetroParks Farm on Saturday, September 27, 2025. This exciting event will bring athletes, families, and supporters together for a day of outdoor activity and healthy competition.
To ensure the safety of participants and spectators, several MetroParks Farm facilities will be temporarily closed from dawn until mid-afternoon on the day of the event. These include:
Education Building
MetroParks Bikeway (closed between Leffingwell Road and Route 446)
MetroParks Farm Parking Lot
MetroParks Farm Bikeway Spur Trail
Disc Golf Courses
Mindy Henning Hiking Trail
Animal Barns
Archery Range
Natural Playground
Recycling Area
Parking lot access will be maintained for cross-country event personnel and spectators.
All facilities will reopen to the public in the afternoon following the conclusion of the event. Mill Creek MetroParks thanks visitors for their cooperation and encourages the community to come cheer on the athletes or plan their visit for later in the day.
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 Staff2025-09-24 10:39:332025-09-24 10:39:33Mill Creek MetroParks to Host Cross Country Event on September 27
E-bikes allowed on Mill Creek MetroParks Bikeway, riders must follow 15 mph limit
/in Media Coverage/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffE-bikes are growing in popularity on the Mill Creek MetroParks Bikeway, but some riders may be confused by signs along the trail that say “no motorized vehicles, bicycling.”
Under Ohio law, e-bikes are not considered motorized vehicles, and Mill Creek MetroParks’ rules follow state guidance.
The key difference is how they’re powered: motorized bikes run on combustion engines, while e-bikes are electric.
“E-bikes are allowed on our Mill Creek Metro Parks Bikeway,” said Jaime Yohman, Community Engagement Director for Mill Creek MetroParks, “They do follow the same rules as our regular pedal bikes.”
Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are the type of electric bikes permitted on the trail.
While these bikes can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour, the speed limit on the bikeway is capped at 15 miles per hour.
Some e-bikes include throttles, which give riders a boost without pedaling, but all riders are still required to follow the speed limit regardless of what type they’re riding.
The park also has e-bikes available for rent through a partnership with Cruise the Creek at the Kirk Road Trailhead, and all rental bikes have a switch that ensures riders can’t go over 15 miles per hour to comply with park rules.
“We have never had to ban anyone. We’ve given warnings,” Yohman said, “We’ve definitely talked to people to just educate them on why they need to follow the rules when it comes to the speed limit.”
Yohman said park police regularly patrol the trail and issue warnings to riders who exceed the speed limit.
“If there are any visitors that are out and they see any e-bike users exceeding those 15 mile per hour speeds, or any user for that matter, definitely let us know, and we can alert our officers,” she added, “If we do get alerted that it is occurring at a certain section of the bikeway or certain area, we will have our officers out there patrolling more often and more regularly.”
Class 3 e-bikes, which can go up to 28 miles per hour, are not allowed in the park.
Rider Frank Wilke of Portage County said he and his wife are frequent visitors.
“We’ve put almost 900 miles on them this summer so far,” Wilke said, “We try to get out every chance we get. It’s good exercise, beautiful. This trail, since they repaved it, it’s just awesome.”
With e-bike use on the rise, park leaders said they may consider updating signage to ensure the rules crystal clear for riders.
Read the original article at WFMJ.
Celebrate Fall with Pumpkin Carving and Pumpkin Walk at Fellows Riverside Gardens
/in Press Releases/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffMill Creek MetroParks invites the community to celebrate the magic of the fall season at Pumpkin Walk at Twilight on Sunday, October 12, 2025, until 8:00 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens, 123 McKinley Avenue, Youngstown. This free event is open to the public.
Beginning at 4:00 p.m., guests can stroll along pumpkin-lined paths as day turns to night and enjoy the seasonal beauty of Fellows Riverside Gardens. Another highlight of the event is Scarecrow Row, located along the Gardens Trail Loop on the east side of the Kidston Pavilion. Featuring scarecrows dressed and decorated by local organizations. Scarecrow Row will also include the educational feature, “Creatures of the Night,” which will showcase nocturnal species commonly found in Ohio. Scarecrow Row will remain on display from dawn to dusk through October 31, 2025.
During the evening, families can also enjoy live entertainment by The Shoe Shine Boys and watch master pumpkin carving by Ron Roberts. Refreshments will be available from Kravitz’s Garden Café, and exclusive Mill Creek MetroParks event merchandise will be available for purchase.
Free, limited parking will be available on-site and in nearby lots. Please note, Price Road will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking during the event.
In addition, Mill Creek MetroParks is hosting a family-friendly, public pumpkin carving event on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. under the large white tent at the back north end of the parking lot at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Pumpkins and carving tools will be supplied, or participants may bring their own. Finished pumpkins will be displayed during Pumpkin Walk at Twilight. Pumpkin carving is free and open to all ages, and groups of 10 or more are asked to call ahead. Please note that carved pumpkins cannot be taken home.
For questions and more information, please call 330.740.7107 or visit www.millcreekmetroparks.org
Mill Creek MetroParks to Host Cross Country Event on September 27
/in Closures, Press Releases/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffMill Creek MetroParks will host the Youngstown State University Invitational Cross Country Meet on The Gorby Family Championship Cross Country Course at the MetroParks Farm on Saturday, September 27, 2025. This exciting event will bring athletes, families, and supporters together for a day of outdoor activity and healthy competition.
To ensure the safety of participants and spectators, several MetroParks Farm facilities will be temporarily closed from dawn until mid-afternoon on the day of the event. These include:
Parking lot access will be maintained for cross-country event personnel and spectators.
All facilities will reopen to the public in the afternoon following the conclusion of the event. Mill Creek MetroParks thanks visitors for their cooperation and encourages the community to come cheer on the athletes or plan their visit for later in the day.