The golf course is the biggest jewel of Mill Creek Park, attracting visitors by the tens of thousands each year.
To keep it viable, Mill Creek MetroParks made several enhancements in 2024 and also opened an indoor player development center.
The improvements to the course and the entire park system are listed in the MetroParks’ annual report, which was released Tuesday. The report is laden with facts and figures, including:
The North and South courses saw a total of 58,021 nine-hole rounds played in 2024.
The two courses also saw a total of 36,537 18-hole rounds played last year.
The par-three course at Wick Recreation Area saw 17,009 nine-hole rounds played in 2024, and 9,097 18-hole rounds.
Physical improvements to the golf course included a revamp of the South Course parking lot, which was repaved with new drainage basins and beautified with an enhanced entryway and landscaping.
The architectural design of the irrigation system for both the North and South courses was finalized over the summer in preparation for future construction.
The courses hosted three collegiate tournaments in 2024, including the American Junior Golf Association All-Star National Invitational and Preview Tournament in June. The AJGA events had a financial impact of $408,268 from hotel stays, dining, recreational spending, green fees and shopping.
The indoor player development center on the second floor of the golf course’s fieldhouse opened at the start of last year. It boasts three golf simulator bays, a putting green, a club fitting area, offices, bathrooms and storage space.
In September, the clubhouse building at Wick Recreation Area – near the par-3 course, playground, tennis courts and batting cages – reopened after receiving a $1.5 million facelift. It now has a team shop, equipment rentals, concession stand, a rental space for parties and a patio.
Mill Creek MetroParks had a total 2024 income of $19,380,187 from a tax levy, activities, gifts and grants, investment interest and other sources.
Its expenses for the year for salaries, materials and supplies, improvements, loan payments and other expenses totaled $13,570,136, leaving the system with a year-end cash balance of $5,810,051. Year-end encumbrances totaled $1,744,111, leaving an unencumbered balance of $4,065,940.
Other highlights of 2024 detailed in the report include:
Conservation: Approximately 1,900 trees were planted at the Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary and Vickers Nature Preserve to help reforest areas of reverting farmland. Since 2021, more than 6,000 trees have been planted.
New app: Mill Creek Metroparks launched an innovative mobile app designed to make exploring the park and its trails easier and more convenient. Powered by OuterSpatial, the app is free to download.
Sustainability: The Healthy Streams Initiative, an annual project dedicated to restoring natural flow patterns and reducing erosion along Mill Creek and its tributaries, focused on the section of Mill Creek flowing through the southern portions of the park. Last year’s work improved 5,809 linear feet of stream.
Wildlife management: The 2023-24 season marked the inaugural year for the deer management program. In total, 197 deer were harvested, 38 of which were donated to local food bands, resulting in 1,336 pounds of venison and more than 1,100 meals for those in need.
Pavilion project: A new 2,600-square-foot indoor/outdoor facility at the Vickers Nature Preserve, with banquet hall, kitchen, restrooms and a covered porch, was designed, and a contract was awarded. Construction of the $625,000 project will begin this year.
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 Staff2025-02-06 07:54:432025-02-06 07:54:43Mill Creek Park Outlines Golf, Other Improvements
Upgrades and advancements are coming to several locations throughout Mill Creek Metroparks in 2025.
From bridge and trail improvements to the golf course and nature reserve restoration projects, Mill Creek officials explained where funds will go during Monday’s monthly meeting with the park board.
“We try to target various facilities and various areas with each year’s budget,” explained Justin Rogers, Director of Planning and Operations with Mill Creek Metroparks.
$480k will go towards bridge improvements to locations including the Slippery Rock Bridge, all to preserve its history and functionality. The majority of the funding is from a federal Transportation Alternatives Program grant.
Trails throughout the park will receive $225k, with Vickers Nature Preserve and the MetroParks Bikeway the main focus. $50k will go towards facility renovations to Vickers Nature Preserve, Bears Den Operations Service Facility, and Birch Hill Cabin. $100k will go towards upgrading restroom facilities throughout the park.
$262k will be spent at Mill Creek Golf Course, restoring stream tributary channels and improving stormwater drainage. The majority of that price tag will be paid for by an Ohio EPA grant.
Vickers Nature Preserve will see a new pavilion and a revamp of the space.
“It’ll be an indoor-outdoor, four-season event center with a banquet hall, kitchen restrooms and amenities,” Rogers said. “This year, we’re proposing site improvements.”
$2.1 million is going towards Fellows Riverside Gardens, to redevelop the building’s lower terrace, improve HVAC and stormwater drainage, and repair the fountain and rose gardens. Plus, the site of the future children’s garden is ready to be transformed.
“We will be going out for public bid soon for that project and throughout 2025, we’ll be working on getting that constructed and opened later on this year,” Rogers added. “So we’re really excited about that project.”
The Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary is getting more than $200k towards site accessibility and habitat improvements, along with adding a new education pavilion.
“It’s our goal to restore, add habitat, and address some of the stormwater management matters on the golf course,” Rogers added.
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 Staff2025-01-14 13:37:382025-01-14 13:37:38Mill Creek Metroparks announce capital improvement plan
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, January 13, 2025, 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.
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 Staff2025-01-10 12:33:152025-01-10 12:33:15Notice of January Board Meeting
Mill Creek Park Outlines Golf, Other Improvements
/in Media Coverage/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffThe golf course is the biggest jewel of Mill Creek Park, attracting visitors by the tens of thousands each year.
To keep it viable, Mill Creek MetroParks made several enhancements in 2024 and also opened an indoor player development center.
The improvements to the course and the entire park system are listed in the MetroParks’ annual report, which was released Tuesday. The report is laden with facts and figures, including:
Physical improvements to the golf course included a revamp of the South Course parking lot, which was repaved with new drainage basins and beautified with an enhanced entryway and landscaping.
The architectural design of the irrigation system for both the North and South courses was finalized over the summer in preparation for future construction.
The courses hosted three collegiate tournaments in 2024, including the American Junior Golf Association All-Star National Invitational and Preview Tournament in June. The AJGA events had a financial impact of $408,268 from hotel stays, dining, recreational spending, green fees and shopping.
The indoor player development center on the second floor of the golf course’s fieldhouse opened at the start of last year. It boasts three golf simulator bays, a putting green, a club fitting area, offices, bathrooms and storage space.
In September, the clubhouse building at Wick Recreation Area – near the par-3 course, playground, tennis courts and batting cages – reopened after receiving a $1.5 million facelift. It now has a team shop, equipment rentals, concession stand, a rental space for parties and a patio.
Mill Creek MetroParks had a total 2024 income of $19,380,187 from a tax levy, activities, gifts and grants, investment interest and other sources.
Its expenses for the year for salaries, materials and supplies, improvements, loan payments and other expenses totaled $13,570,136, leaving the system with a year-end cash balance of $5,810,051. Year-end encumbrances totaled $1,744,111, leaving an unencumbered balance of $4,065,940.
Other highlights of 2024 detailed in the report include:
Read the original article at The Business Journal.
Mill Creek Metroparks announce capital improvement plan
/in Media Coverage/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffUpgrades and advancements are coming to several locations throughout Mill Creek Metroparks in 2025.
From bridge and trail improvements to the golf course and nature reserve restoration projects, Mill Creek officials explained where funds will go during Monday’s monthly meeting with the park board.
“We try to target various facilities and various areas with each year’s budget,” explained Justin Rogers, Director of Planning and Operations with Mill Creek Metroparks.
$480k will go towards bridge improvements to locations including the Slippery Rock Bridge, all to preserve its history and functionality. The majority of the funding is from a federal Transportation Alternatives Program grant.
Trails throughout the park will receive $225k, with Vickers Nature Preserve and the MetroParks Bikeway the main focus. $50k will go towards facility renovations to Vickers Nature Preserve, Bears Den Operations Service Facility, and Birch Hill Cabin. $100k will go towards upgrading restroom facilities throughout the park.
$262k will be spent at Mill Creek Golf Course, restoring stream tributary channels and improving stormwater drainage. The majority of that price tag will be paid for by an Ohio EPA grant.
Vickers Nature Preserve will see a new pavilion and a revamp of the space.
“It’ll be an indoor-outdoor, four-season event center with a banquet hall, kitchen restrooms and amenities,” Rogers said. “This year, we’re proposing site improvements.”
$2.1 million is going towards Fellows Riverside Gardens, to redevelop the building’s lower terrace, improve HVAC and stormwater drainage, and repair the fountain and rose gardens. Plus, the site of the future children’s garden is ready to be transformed.
“We will be going out for public bid soon for that project and throughout 2025, we’ll be working on getting that constructed and opened later on this year,” Rogers added. “So we’re really excited about that project.”
The Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary is getting more than $200k towards site accessibility and habitat improvements, along with adding a new education pavilion.
“It’s our goal to restore, add habitat, and address some of the stormwater management matters on the golf course,” Rogers added.
Read the original article at WFMJ.
Notice of January 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, January 13, 2025, 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.
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.