Ford Nature Center’s redevelopment project is among the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association’s 2022 annual Awards of Excellence winners.
Mill Creek MetroParks’ Ford center project placed second in the “capital improvement — $2.5 million and up” category of the competition.
These awards are judged by a panel of parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio.
“We are honored to be recognized for this capital improvement project and the vision of bringing enhanced nature education to the community while maintaining the historical and physical presence of the Ford Nature Center,” said Aaron Young, Mill Creek MetroParks executive director.
“With the redevelopment project completed, we are looking to put the finishing touches on the new exhibits and unveiling them to the public very soon.”
The redevelopment project’s main objective is to better serve nature education needs of the community. This was reached through improving, upgrading and expanding the facility’s function, all while maintaining its historical and physical presence.
Reconfiguration of interior spaces was needed to enhance and expand public programming with new and improved interpretive and interactive exhibits, interchangeable displays, and new wayfinding signage.
Improved accessibility was also a prominent change.
The grounds of the Ford Nature Center now strengthen the critical educational and recreational link between Mill Creek Park and the surrounding neighborhood. The connections between nature and humankind are on display both throughout the exterior and interior spaces of the center, officials said.
A new rooftop garden was installed above the new basement exhibit hall. A new wildflower meadow incorporating more than two dozen native flowers and grasses can be viewed from numerous perspectives.
Additionally, the formal landscape incorporated native plant species throughout all of the beds including the Ohio woodland garden and bird viewing area.
The Ohio Parks and Recreation Association strives 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 Park was established in 1891 by Volney Rogers as the first park district in Ohio. In 1989, the diverse lands now known as Mill Creek MetroParks officially became a metropolitan park district. The mission of Mill Creek MetroParks is to provide park, recreational, educational, and open space facilities of regional significance.
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 Staff2022-11-29 08:27:322022-11-29 08:27:32Nature center praised for upgrades
Mill Creek MetroParks will be closing a park drive starting Tuesday, November 29.
Due to improvement and resurfacing work, the park will be closing the northern section of East Newport Drive between Kreider’s Entrance and Kiwatha Drive to all vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
Access to the East Newport Boat Launch and Daffodil Meadow will be prohibited.
The closure should last to weeks, if not delayed by inclement weather.
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 Staff2022-11-29 08:22:092022-11-29 08:22:09Mill Creek park drive closing for improvements
Editor’s note: The headline of this story has been corrected to better describe access to the park during road work. We regret the error.
Work to improve and resurface a park drive in Mill Creek MetroParks will begin on Tuesday.
The northern section of East Newport Drive between Kreider’s Entrance and Kiwatha Drive will be closed to all vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Access to the East Newport Boat Launch and Daffodil Meadow will be prohibited.
Work to be conducted includes cleaning and planing of existing asphalt surfaces and placement of new asphalt pavement courses.
The closure is expected to last about two weeks. In the event of inclement weather, the work schedule will be delayed and adjusted accordingly.
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 Staff2022-11-29 08:20:592022-11-29 08:20:59Road work to limit access to portions of Mill Creek MetroParks
Nature center praised for upgrades
/in Media Coverage/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffFord Nature Center’s redevelopment project is among the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association’s 2022 annual Awards of Excellence winners.
Mill Creek MetroParks’ Ford center project placed second in the “capital improvement — $2.5 million and up” category of the competition.
These awards are judged by a panel of parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio.
“We are honored to be recognized for this capital improvement project and the vision of bringing enhanced nature education to the community while maintaining the historical and physical presence of the Ford Nature Center,” said Aaron Young, Mill Creek MetroParks executive director.
“With the redevelopment project completed, we are looking to put the finishing touches on the new exhibits and unveiling them to the public very soon.”
The redevelopment project’s main objective is to better serve nature education needs of the community. This was reached through improving, upgrading and expanding the facility’s function, all while maintaining its historical and physical presence.
Reconfiguration of interior spaces was needed to enhance and expand public programming with new and improved interpretive and interactive exhibits, interchangeable displays, and new wayfinding signage.
Improved accessibility was also a prominent change.
The grounds of the Ford Nature Center now strengthen the critical educational and recreational link between Mill Creek Park and the surrounding neighborhood. The connections between nature and humankind are on display both throughout the exterior and interior spaces of the center, officials said.
A new rooftop garden was installed above the new basement exhibit hall. A new wildflower meadow incorporating more than two dozen native flowers and grasses can be viewed from numerous perspectives.
Additionally, the formal landscape incorporated native plant species throughout all of the beds including the Ohio woodland garden and bird viewing area.
The Ohio Parks and Recreation Association strives 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 Park was established in 1891 by Volney Rogers as the first park district in Ohio. In 1989, the diverse lands now known as Mill Creek MetroParks officially became a metropolitan park district. The mission of Mill Creek MetroParks is to provide park, recreational, educational, and open space facilities of regional significance.
Read the original article at The Vindicator.
Mill Creek park drive closing for improvements
/in Miscellaneous/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffMill Creek MetroParks will be closing a park drive starting Tuesday, November 29.
Due to improvement and resurfacing work, the park will be closing the northern section of East Newport Drive between Kreider’s Entrance and Kiwatha Drive to all vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
Access to the East Newport Boat Launch and Daffodil Meadow will be prohibited.
The closure should last to weeks, if not delayed by inclement weather.
Read the original article at WFMJ.
Road work to limit access to portions of Mill Creek MetroParks
/in Media Coverage/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffEditor’s note: The headline of this story has been corrected to better describe access to the park during road work. We regret the error.
Work to improve and resurface a park drive in Mill Creek MetroParks will begin on Tuesday.
The northern section of East Newport Drive between Kreider’s Entrance and Kiwatha Drive will be closed to all vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Access to the East Newport Boat Launch and Daffodil Meadow will be prohibited.
Work to be conducted includes cleaning and planing of existing asphalt surfaces and placement of new asphalt pavement courses.
The closure is expected to last about two weeks. In the event of inclement weather, the work schedule will be delayed and adjusted accordingly.
Read the original article at WKBN.