Mill Creek MetroParks had a big job ahead after storms rolled through the Valley on July 5 and spawned a tornado. Most of the park has been closed as the cleanup continues.
“It’s just really devastating when you show up and see the devastation, and just 2-3 blocks away there’s nothing. No problems whatsoever, said Executive Director Aaron Young.
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Young says the job included cutting a way into the park, and now it’s trying to cut a way through the park. The methodical approach has included handling what can be handled. The Metroparks has teams and has hired others to do the job.
“Obviously, the East Golf Hike Trail, you’ve got a very linear path that cuts through from north to south. That’s a much different environment to clean up than a golf course, which is manicured throughout,” Young said.
There’s a chance the East Golf Hike and Bike Trail could open by the end of the week, making a recreational opportunity available again. Golfers will have to be very patient. Splintered and fallen trees still need to be cleared off the 36 holes.
“There were a little over 100 on the North Course. We just quite frankly stopped counting on the South Course when we reached 300. There is much more than that. It’s going to be a changed experience for sure,” Young said.
The MetroParks board has avoided putting time frames on reopening many areas, but says they will stay in place while the work continues.
“They are being very diligent in what they’re doing to ensure everyone’s safety, and they know the task at hand is a large one, but they’re committed to doing it,” Young said.
Young says it was easy to be overwhelmed after seeing the devastation on July 5 after the storm, but that feeling ended the next morning when everyone was ready to get started on the work to clean up the park.
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 Staff2026-07-28 09:38:052026-07-28 09:38:05Slow and steady work at Mill Creek Park ensures safe reopening
If you were hoping to play a round at Mill Creek Metro Parks golf course anytime soon, you’ll have to wait a little longer.
Cleanup continues weeks after an EF-1 tornado and a macroburst tore through the park on July 5, leaving behind widespread damage and forcing parts of the park to remain closed.
Mill Creek Metro Parks’ executive director Aaron Young said said the golf course had the most damage.
“We went through last week. There were over 100 trees that were down on the north course, and we stopped counting at 300 on the south course,” Young said. “We’ve maintained the positive attitude, and we’re just going to keep chipping away at it until we get it done.”
Park officials plan to reassess the damage on August 5 as cleanup efforts continue.
While much of Mill Creek Metro Parks remains open for recreation, the section between Shields Road and U.S. Route 224 remains closed as crews work to safely remove debris and damaged trees.
“It’s [cleanup] been constant since the evening of the fifth,” Young said. “It’s involved both internal crews and third-party contractors, and we’ve also been in contact with the Mahoning County EMA service, which we hope will assist us by the end of this week.”
Despite the extensive damage, park officials are optimistic the golf course will reopen before the end of its regular golf season.
“We’re certainly hopeful that we’ll be open before the end of the normal golf season, which for us is by Thanksgiving,” Young said. “We anticipate there’ll be some golf happening at the metro parks course here in 2026.”
In addition to storm recovery, Young said the search for the park’s next golf and recreation director is also underway.
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 Staff2026-07-27 09:05:442026-07-27 09:05:44Mill Creek hopes to reopen golf course before Thanksgiving
Earlier in July, an EF1 tornado and macroburst caused extensive damage to the Mill Creek MetroParks and golf course. Aaron Young, the Mill Creek MetroParks Executive Director, shares more information about the damage to the park and how much longer it will take to clean everything up.
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 Staff2026-07-27 09:03:432026-07-27 09:03:43Press Pass: Mill Creek Park & Golf Course storm damage cleanup
Slow and steady work at Mill Creek Park ensures safe reopening
/in Media Coverage/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffMill Creek MetroParks had a big job ahead after storms rolled through the Valley on July 5 and spawned a tornado. Most of the park has been closed as the cleanup continues.
“It’s just really devastating when you show up and see the devastation, and just 2-3 blocks away there’s nothing. No problems whatsoever, said Executive Director Aaron Young.
Related stories:
Young says the job included cutting a way into the park, and now it’s trying to cut a way through the park. The methodical approach has included handling what can be handled. The Metroparks has teams and has hired others to do the job.
“Obviously, the East Golf Hike Trail, you’ve got a very linear path that cuts through from north to south. That’s a much different environment to clean up than a golf course, which is manicured throughout,” Young said.
There’s a chance the East Golf Hike and Bike Trail could open by the end of the week, making a recreational opportunity available again. Golfers will have to be very patient. Splintered and fallen trees still need to be cleared off the 36 holes.
“There were a little over 100 on the North Course. We just quite frankly stopped counting on the South Course when we reached 300. There is much more than that. It’s going to be a changed experience for sure,” Young said.
The MetroParks board has avoided putting time frames on reopening many areas, but says they will stay in place while the work continues.
“They are being very diligent in what they’re doing to ensure everyone’s safety, and they know the task at hand is a large one, but they’re committed to doing it,” Young said.
Young says it was easy to be overwhelmed after seeing the devastation on July 5 after the storm, but that feeling ended the next morning when everyone was ready to get started on the work to clean up the park.
Read the original article at WKBN.
Mill Creek hopes to reopen golf course before Thanksgiving
/in Media Coverage/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffIf you were hoping to play a round at Mill Creek Metro Parks golf course anytime soon, you’ll have to wait a little longer.
Cleanup continues weeks after an EF-1 tornado and a macroburst tore through the park on July 5, leaving behind widespread damage and forcing parts of the park to remain closed.
Mill Creek Metro Parks’ executive director Aaron Young said said the golf course had the most damage.
“We went through last week. There were over 100 trees that were down on the north course, and we stopped counting at 300 on the south course,” Young said. “We’ve maintained the positive attitude, and we’re just going to keep chipping away at it until we get it done.”
Park officials plan to reassess the damage on August 5 as cleanup efforts continue.
While much of Mill Creek Metro Parks remains open for recreation, the section between Shields Road and U.S. Route 224 remains closed as crews work to safely remove debris and damaged trees.
“It’s [cleanup] been constant since the evening of the fifth,” Young said. “It’s involved both internal crews and third-party contractors, and we’ve also been in contact with the Mahoning County EMA service, which we hope will assist us by the end of this week.”
Despite the extensive damage, park officials are optimistic the golf course will reopen before the end of its regular golf season.
“We’re certainly hopeful that we’ll be open before the end of the normal golf season, which for us is by Thanksgiving,” Young said. “We anticipate there’ll be some golf happening at the metro parks course here in 2026.”
In addition to storm recovery, Young said the search for the park’s next golf and recreation director is also underway.
Read the original article at WFMJ.
Press Pass: Mill Creek Park & Golf Course storm damage cleanup
/in Media Coverage/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffEarlier in July, an EF1 tornado and macroburst caused extensive damage to the Mill Creek MetroParks and golf course. Aaron Young, the Mill Creek MetroParks Executive Director, shares more information about the damage to the park and how much longer it will take to clean everything up.
See the original video at WFMJ.