The Ohio Parks and Recreation Association has announced its 2018 Annual Awards of Excellence winners. Mill Creek MetroParks’ Wick Recreation Area Dek Hockey Rink Project placed 3rd in the Capital Improvement Projects under $1,000,000 category.
The awards are judged by a panel of parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio.
“Parks and recreation professionals throughout Ohio work every day to improve the quality of life of the people they serve,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “This effort is a shining example of that kind of work, and we are pleased to be able to present this award.”
The MetroParks partnered with the Youngstown Phantoms Hockey Team of the United States Hockey League and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation to renovate the former ice skating rink at Wick Recreation Area into a street hockey rink, also known as Dek Hockey.
The goal of the project focused on improving functionality and use through rehabilitation, restoration, and adaptive reuse. The vision was to create year-round public availability, play for individuals or groups, league play, and instructional programming for both youths & adults thus making Wick Recreation Area a premiere regional, four-season, active recreation facility. The scope of the project included installation of dasher boards and chain link fencing, tile surfacing, scoreboard, overhead structures for player benches, and site work including demolition, concrete repair, and electrical work.
Along with donations from The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation and Home Savings Bank, the incredible outreach continued on a hot day in August 2018. Local volunteers and representatives from the Pittsburgh Foundation, Youngstown Phantoms, Home Savings Bank, and Mill Creek MetroParks joined together to install the decking material for the rink.
“This project exemplifies the culmination of planning that included adaptive reuse, third-party funding, partnerships and volunteerism, which serves as the model for future MetroParks’ projects,” says Mill Creek MetroParks Executive Director Aaron Young. “Partnerships like this allows us to increase recreational opportunities to our park visitors.”
The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence will be presented at a banquet hosted by the association on Feb. 5, 2019 in Sandusky.
View the full article at vindy.com
Mill Creek officers honored for rescue
/in Media Coverage /by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffThe Mill Creek MetroParks board recognized two of the park’s police officers at the board’s Monday meeting.
Officer Peter Katsaras and Sgt. Robert Vukovich were honored for finding a 3-year-old boy who went missing during the park’s annual Pumpkin Walk Oct. 14 at Fellows Riverside Gardens.
Although about 10,000 people attended the 21/2-hour event, Katsaras and Vukovich were able to reunite the child with his parents.
The officers’ families were present at the meeting.
“Part of the uniqueness of it is they both have children about the same age as the child that was missing, so I think it hit home for them both,” said police Chief Jim Willock.
“Congratulations and thank you again,” park commissioner Germaine Bennett said.
The board also received an update on the park’s $3 million Ford Nature Center Redevelopment campaign.
After being awarded a $1 million challenge grant from the Sand Hill Foundation, the campaign has about $1 million left to raise.
“We’re very optimistic. We’ve identified probably about half of that already, so we just have to close,” said development director Chris Litton.
View the full article at vindy.com
Mill Creek MetroParks presents Winter Celebration: Frozen in Time
/in Press Releases /by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffFrom December 1 through December 30, the D. D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center will be adorned for the annual Winter Celebration event, which is a family-friendly, admission-free event sponsored by WKBN 27 First News. This year’s theme, “Frozen in Time”, is a celebration of the Garden’s 60th anniversary and can be experienced by visitors Tuesdays – Sundays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. with special extended hours on Saturdays.
Bring the family to discover a sparkling winter wonderland brought indoors to the Davis Center. View photos displayed of favorite memories at Fellows Riverside Gardens submitted by Valley residents, participate in a scavenger hunt, and of course, the beauty of seasonal blooms on display. Guests will also be able to experience the annual tree walk on display throughout the Davis Center where non-profit organizations display their uniquely decorated trees.
Every Saturday in December, the Gardens will be open until 7 p.m. for guests to experience Winter Nights featuring an outdoor light display highlighting winter’s beauty. Inside the Davis Center you’ll find the Toy Workshop and Reindeer Games along with live holiday music by local musicians (except for December 29th). Additionally, the “Snow Sisters” will be visiting the Gardens on Saturday nights to greet winter’s littlest fans!
In the spirit of giving, non-perishable food item donations are being accepted for the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley. Please note special dates for Visitor Center hours include being CLOSED on Mondays.
For more information, please call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330.740.7116 or visit millcreekmetroparks.org.
Notice of November 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, November 19, 2018, at 6 p.m. in McMahon Hall, at the MetroParks Farm, on Rt. 46 in Canfield. The agenda will be available on the website after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
Mill Creek MetroParks Dek Hockey rink project wins award
/in Media Coverage /by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffThe Ohio Parks and Recreation Association has announced its 2018 Annual Awards of Excellence winners. Mill Creek MetroParks’ Wick Recreation Area Dek Hockey Rink Project placed 3rd in the Capital Improvement Projects under $1,000,000 category.
The awards are judged by a panel of parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio.
“Parks and recreation professionals throughout Ohio work every day to improve the quality of life of the people they serve,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “This effort is a shining example of that kind of work, and we are pleased to be able to present this award.”
The MetroParks partnered with the Youngstown Phantoms Hockey Team of the United States Hockey League and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation to renovate the former ice skating rink at Wick Recreation Area into a street hockey rink, also known as Dek Hockey.
The goal of the project focused on improving functionality and use through rehabilitation, restoration, and adaptive reuse. The vision was to create year-round public availability, play for individuals or groups, league play, and instructional programming for both youths & adults thus making Wick Recreation Area a premiere regional, four-season, active recreation facility. The scope of the project included installation of dasher boards and chain link fencing, tile surfacing, scoreboard, overhead structures for player benches, and site work including demolition, concrete repair, and electrical work.
Along with donations from The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation and Home Savings Bank, the incredible outreach continued on a hot day in August 2018. Local volunteers and representatives from the Pittsburgh Foundation, Youngstown Phantoms, Home Savings Bank, and Mill Creek MetroParks joined together to install the decking material for the rink.
“This project exemplifies the culmination of planning that included adaptive reuse, third-party funding, partnerships and volunteerism, which serves as the model for future MetroParks’ projects,” says Mill Creek MetroParks Executive Director Aaron Young. “Partnerships like this allows us to increase recreational opportunities to our park visitors.”
The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence will be presented at a banquet hosted by the association on Feb. 5, 2019 in Sandusky.
View the full article at vindy.com
Mill Creek MetroParks Dek hockey rink wins award
/in Media Coverage /by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffMill Creek MetroParks’ Dek Hockey Rink won an award from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) on Tuesday.
OPRA announced MetroParks’ Dek Hockey Rink placed 3rd in the Capital Improvement Projects under $1,000,000 category. Award winners were decided by a group of parks and recreation professionals throughout the state.
The Dek Hockey Rink is a year-round street hockey rink that can be used by players wearing roller skates or normal tennis shoes. The rink features an electronic scoreboard and dasher boards and is free to use. The rink was built in the same area that ice rink used to be years ago.
The project is a team effort between Mill Creek MetroParks, the Youngstown Phantoms, and Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation.
Officials from Mill Creek MetroParks will be presented with the award during a banquet hosted by OPRA in Sandusky, Ohio in February.
View the full article at wfmj.com
Mill Creek MetroParks Drive Closures
/in Press Releases, Road Closings /by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffEast Newport Drive and the Kreider’s Entrance roadway to East Newport Drive in Mill Creek Park will be temporarily closed for the MetroParks’ annual lane paving project. The work is scheduled to begin on Monday, November 19, 2018, and will continue for several days. Both drives will reopen once vehicular traffic is permitted.
While the drives are closed, vehicular and pedestrian access to nearby facilities will be impacted. The closure will impact the following facilities:
In the event of inclement weather, the work schedule will be delayed and adjusted accordingly.
Mill Creek MetroParks Dek Hockey Rink Project Wins Award
/in Press Releases /by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffThe Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) has announced its 2018 Annual Awards of Excellence winners. Mill Creek MetroParks’ Wick Recreation Area Dek Hockey Rink Project placed 3rd in the Capital Improvement Projects under $1,000,000 category. The awards are judged by a panel of parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio. “Parks and recreation professionals throughout Ohio work every day to improve the quality of life of the people they serve,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “This effort is a shining example of that kind of work, and we are pleased to be able to present this award.”
The MetroParks partnered with the Youngstown Phantoms Hockey Team of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation to renovate the former ice skating rink at Wick Recreation Area into a street hockey rink, also known as Dek Hockey. The goal of the project focused on improving functionality and use through rehabilitation, restoration, and adaptive reuse. The vision was to create year-round public availability, play for individuals or groups, league play, and instructional programming for both youths & adults thus making Wick Recreation Area a premiere regional, four-season, active recreation facility. The scope of the project included installation of dasher boards and chain link fencing, tile surfacing, scoreboard, overhead structures for player benches, and site work including demolition, concrete repair, and electrical work.
Along with donations from The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation and Home Savings Bank, the incredible outreach continued on a hot day in August 2018. Local volunteers and representatives from the Pittsburgh Foundation, Youngstown Phantoms, Home Savings Bank, and Mill Creek MetroParks joined together to install the decking material for the rink. “This project exemplifies the culmination of planning that included adaptive reuse, third-party funding, partnerships and volunteerism, which serves as the model for future MetroParks’ projects,” says Mill Creek MetroParks Executive Director Aaron Young. “Partnerships like this allows us to increase recreational opportunities to our park visitors.”
The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence will be presented at a banquet hosted by the association on February 5, 2019 in Sandusky, Ohio.
About OPRA
Incorporated in 1963, OPRA is a non-profit, public interest organization representing over 1400 professionals and citizen board members striving to provide quality parks and recreation facilities and opportunities for all Ohioans while protecting and preserving Ohio’s natural resources, positively impacting local economies and health and wellness of its citizens.
Mill Creek Receives $16K Grant for Disc-Golf Course
/in Media Coverage /by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffMill Creek MetroParks has been awarded a grant for $16,056 by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for an 18-hole disc-golf course at the MetroParks Farm in Canfield Township.
The grant, through the 25th round of ODNR’s NatureWorks grant program, is providing 75% of funding for the project.
The disc-golf course will utilize the MetroParks Farm’s landscape, changes in topography, and scenic vistas to establish a unique recreational experience.
The construction of a disc-golf course continues the MetroParks’ effort to provide additional and diverse recreation opportunities throughout the county, and reinforces the MetroParks’ commitment of securing third-party funding for new active recreation facilities.
The project will be scheduled for construction as a 2019 capital improvement project.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
View the full article at businessjournaldaily.com
Disc golf course coming to Mill Creek MetroParks Farm in Canfield
/in Media Coverage /by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffA disc golf course will soon be installed at Mill Creek MetroParks Farm in Canfield.
The 18-hole course will provide another activity for visitors of the MetroParks land along Route 46, which already features a bike trail.
Money for the disc golf course will come from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources NatureWorks grant program. It will provide up to 75 percent — over $16,000 — of the cost.
The MetroParks Board of Park Commissioners still has to approve the budget. After that happens, it’s likely the project will be scheduled for construction as a 2019 capital improvement.
Disc golf course coming to Mill Creek MetroParks Farm in Canfield
/in Media Coverage /by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffA disc golf course will soon be installed at Mill Creek MetroParks Farm in Canfield.
The 18-hole course will provide another activity for visitors of the MetroParks land along Route 46, which already features a bike trail.
Money for the disc golf course will come from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources NatureWorks grant program. It will provide up to 75 percent — over $16,000 — of the cost.
The MetroParks Board of Park Commissioners still has to approve the budget. After that happens, it’s likely the project will be scheduled for construction as a 2019 capital improvement.
View the full article at wkbn.com