Fellows Riverside Gardens is bringing back a 25-year-old tradition, kicking off the annual Frost and Lights event.
The holiday festivities run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
It includes nearly 100 trees displayed in the indoor galleries, each decorated by a different local business or organization.
“Everybody’s favorite thing is each one of the trees is live, and it’s hard to believe we can get that many live trees in the building. So I think everybody’s just amazed at the actual size of everything. You know, we’ve seen some other tree walks with smaller counts of trees, but to see 88 live trees is actually a lot,” said visitor service manager Jessia Jablonski.
They’ve also added some extra events on a few key dates, including character appearances, a craft market and a scavenger hunt in the gallery.
For those willing to brave the cold, event organizers say this year they’ve added more lights to their outdoor gardens than ever before.
The Frost and Lights event is open from now until Jan. 4.
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 Staff2025-12-09 13:37:372025-12-09 13:37:37Fellows Riverside Garden brings back Frost and Lights event
Mill Creek MetroParks is looking back at the capital improvements of the 2025 fiscal year and looking ahead at future endeavors.
Justin Rogers, Director of Planning and Operations at Mill Creek MetroParks, presented the year’s review during a Board of Park Commissioners meeting on Monday, December 8.
Some items of note in the presentation were improvements to the Slippery Rock Bridge, George L. Fordyce Park and the Lanterman’s Mill site.
The improvements to the Slippery Rock Bridge included work such as historic preservation, vehicle and pedestrian traffic and improved stormwater management. Additionally, several proposed improvements were discussed, including rehabilitated concrete sidewalks, waterproofing and decking.
For the year, the budget for annual improvements was $480,000, which was funded approximately 80% through a federal Transportation Alternatives Program grant.
Improvements made to the Lanterman’s Mill site included entrance and deck repair, temporary improvements to the upper dam and repairs to the East Gorge Boardwalk and Canfield Road steps.
The budget that was allotted for the improvements came to $10,000, which was 100% funded through Mill endowment funds.
Budgeted in the 2025 improvement plan for $220,000 were improvements to the George L. Fordyce Park, which Youngstown State University (YSU) students and volunteers recently planted trees within.
Accessibility and habitat improvements were outlined in the presentation, featuring an improved entry drive and parking lot with better accessibility and connectivity to the hiking trail network.
A Clean Ohio Conservation Fund grant helped pay for $155,000 of the project.
Overall, Rogers says that the year was a success, helping them achieve their goal of enhancing the parks.
“When we have a drive improvement project, or parking lots or trails, or managing stormwater in a different way, those impacts show to all of our park patrons [and] all of our park users and create a better, safer experience,” said Rogers.
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 Staff2025-12-09 13:34:522025-12-09 13:34:52Mill Creek MetroParks reflects on 2025 capital improvements
BRASELTON, GA. – The American Junior Golf Association announced a four-year extension with Mill Creek Golf Course to continue hosting two of its annual junior golf events through 2029. The agreement secures the 1898 Foundation Junior All-Star, set for June 22-24, and the 1898 Foundation Preview presented by ICL Academy (Ages 12-15), scheduled for June 24-26. As part of the new agreement, the 1898 Foundation has signed on as title sponsor for both events from 2026 to 2029.
The 1898 Foundation, based in Youngstown, supports the advancement and promotion of amateur golf and related sporting activities, the preservation of historic designated golf courses and facilities in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties, and the preservation of The Youngstown Country Club historic district. Its sponsorship strengthens the long-term viability of these two AJGA events and reinforces the foundation’s commitment to growing the game.
“The 1898 Foundation is pleased to partner with the AJGA to support the annual golf tournament held at the historic Mill Creek Park Golf Course,” said Reid Schmutz, Director of the 1898 Foundation. “This sponsorship supports the advancement of the game of golf for young people at our local golf course while providing significant economic impact for our region.”
Mill Creek Golf Course has hosted AJGA events for the past 10 years and has become one of the longest-running tournament partners in the Midwest. Mill Creek first welcomed the AJGA in 2015 and has since hosted multiple Junior All-Star and ICL Academy Preview Series events, drawing players from across the country each summer. The venue’s consistency, course setup and strong community involvement have helped establish Mill Creek as a staple on the AJGA schedule.
Mill Creek has played an important role in the development of young golfers, hosting fields that have included future college standouts and AJGA award winners. Notably, Maxwell Moldovan won the Junior All-Star event in both 2016 and 2017. He later earned 2019 Rolex Junior Player of the Year honors and competed for four years at Ohio State, where he became one of the most decorated players in program history. Moldovan turned professional in 2024 and has competed in five PGA TOUR events. Vanessa Borovilos, the 2020 champion, also went on to have an accomplished junior career. The current Texas A&M sophomore was a three-time Rolex Junior All-American and finished as the No. 3 ranked junior golfer and No. 1 player in Canada in the Class of 2024.
“We’re excited to have hosted the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) at Mill Creek for the past ten years,” Brian Tolnar, PGA Director of Golf & Recreation for Mill Creek MetroParks said. “This new 4-year partnership with the 1898 Foundation as the title sponsor will ensure the event stays in our region of the country and here in the Mahoning Valley through 2029. The economic impact for overnight stays, dining, retail spending and exploration of the weeklong event has exceeded the 3 million dollar mark for our local community as well as $80,000 toward local charities in our community. We cannot thank the 1898 Foundation and their Board of Directors enough for their long-term commitment to junior golf at Mill Creek Golf Course.”
The Junior All-Star Series is designed for players ages 12–15 who are ready to test their games on a national stage, while the ICL Academy Preview Series gives emerging golfers a chance to gain valuable experience in their first AJGA events. Together, the two tournaments at Mill Creek provide an early-season opportunity for young players to compete, learn and build confidence as they progress in their junior golf journeys. The multi-year extension keeps Mill Creek Golf Course as one of the AJGA’s most consistent Midwest hosts and ensures the region will continue to welcome junior golfers and their families for years to come.
For more information on the 1898 Foundation Junior All-Star or the 1898 Foundation Preview presented by ICL Academy (Ages 12-15), please visit ajga.org or contact Ryan Flanagan (rflanagan@ajga.org) in the AJGA Tournament Business Affairs Department.
About the AJGA
The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls, ages 12-19) of more than 10,000 members from 50 states and 51 foreign countries. Through initiatives like the Liberty National ACE Grant, a financial assistance program, and Leadership Links, a service-oriented platform that teaches juniors charitable-giving skills, the AJGA fosters the growth of golf’s next generation.
TaylorMade and adidas are the AJGA’s Global Sponsors, supporting the AJGA for more than 25 years. TaylorMade has served as the Official Ball of the AJGA since 2016. adidas has been the Official Apparel and Footwear of the AJGA since 2017. Rolex, in its fourth decade of AJGA sponsorship, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 1,000 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Jessica Korda, Nelly Korda, Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang.
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 Staff2025-12-05 13:55:472025-12-05 13:56:291898 Foundation commits as title sponsor of two junior events beginning in 2026–AJGA announces four-year extension with Mill Creek Golf Course
Fellows Riverside Garden brings back Frost and Lights event
/in Media Coverage/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffFellows Riverside Gardens is bringing back a 25-year-old tradition, kicking off the annual Frost and Lights event.
The holiday festivities run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
It includes nearly 100 trees displayed in the indoor galleries, each decorated by a different local business or organization.
“Everybody’s favorite thing is each one of the trees is live, and it’s hard to believe we can get that many live trees in the building. So I think everybody’s just amazed at the actual size of everything. You know, we’ve seen some other tree walks with smaller counts of trees, but to see 88 live trees is actually a lot,” said visitor service manager Jessia Jablonski.
They’ve also added some extra events on a few key dates, including character appearances, a craft market and a scavenger hunt in the gallery.
For those willing to brave the cold, event organizers say this year they’ve added more lights to their outdoor gardens than ever before.
The Frost and Lights event is open from now until Jan. 4.
Read the original article at WKBN.
Mill Creek MetroParks reflects on 2025 capital improvements
/in Media Coverage/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffMill Creek MetroParks is looking back at the capital improvements of the 2025 fiscal year and looking ahead at future endeavors.
Justin Rogers, Director of Planning and Operations at Mill Creek MetroParks, presented the year’s review during a Board of Park Commissioners meeting on Monday, December 8.
Some items of note in the presentation were improvements to the Slippery Rock Bridge, George L. Fordyce Park and the Lanterman’s Mill site.
The improvements to the Slippery Rock Bridge included work such as historic preservation, vehicle and pedestrian traffic and improved stormwater management. Additionally, several proposed improvements were discussed, including rehabilitated concrete sidewalks, waterproofing and decking.
For the year, the budget for annual improvements was $480,000, which was funded approximately 80% through a federal Transportation Alternatives Program grant.
Improvements made to the Lanterman’s Mill site included entrance and deck repair, temporary improvements to the upper dam and repairs to the East Gorge Boardwalk and Canfield Road steps.
The budget that was allotted for the improvements came to $10,000, which was 100% funded through Mill endowment funds.
Budgeted in the 2025 improvement plan for $220,000 were improvements to the George L. Fordyce Park, which Youngstown State University (YSU) students and volunteers recently planted trees within.
Accessibility and habitat improvements were outlined in the presentation, featuring an improved entry drive and parking lot with better accessibility and connectivity to the hiking trail network.
A Clean Ohio Conservation Fund grant helped pay for $155,000 of the project.
Overall, Rogers says that the year was a success, helping them achieve their goal of enhancing the parks.
“When we have a drive improvement project, or parking lots or trails, or managing stormwater in a different way, those impacts show to all of our park patrons [and] all of our park users and create a better, safer experience,” said Rogers.
Read the original article at WFMJ.
1898 Foundation commits as title sponsor of two junior events beginning in 2026–AJGA announces four-year extension with Mill Creek Golf Course
/in Press Releases/by Mill Creek MetroParks Staff*Posted on behalf of the AJGA.
BRASELTON, GA. – The American Junior Golf Association announced a four-year extension with Mill Creek Golf Course to continue hosting two of its annual junior golf events through 2029. The agreement secures the 1898 Foundation Junior All-Star, set for June 22-24, and the 1898 Foundation Preview presented by ICL Academy (Ages 12-15), scheduled for June 24-26. As part of the new agreement, the 1898 Foundation has signed on as title sponsor for both events from 2026 to 2029.
The 1898 Foundation, based in Youngstown, supports the advancement and promotion of amateur golf and related sporting activities, the preservation of historic designated golf courses and facilities in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties, and the preservation of The Youngstown Country Club historic district. Its sponsorship strengthens the long-term viability of these two AJGA events and reinforces the foundation’s commitment to growing the game.
“The 1898 Foundation is pleased to partner with the AJGA to support the annual golf tournament held at the historic Mill Creek Park Golf Course,” said Reid Schmutz, Director of the 1898 Foundation. “This sponsorship supports the advancement of the game of golf for young people at our local golf course while providing significant economic impact for our region.”
Mill Creek Golf Course has hosted AJGA events for the past 10 years and has become one of the longest-running tournament partners in the Midwest. Mill Creek first welcomed the AJGA in 2015 and has since hosted multiple Junior All-Star and ICL Academy Preview Series events, drawing players from across the country each summer. The venue’s consistency, course setup and strong community involvement have helped establish Mill Creek as a staple on the AJGA schedule.
Mill Creek has played an important role in the development of young golfers, hosting fields that have included future college standouts and AJGA award winners. Notably, Maxwell Moldovan won the Junior All-Star event in both 2016 and 2017. He later earned 2019 Rolex Junior Player of the Year honors and competed for four years at Ohio State, where he became one of the most decorated players in program history. Moldovan turned professional in 2024 and has competed in five PGA TOUR events. Vanessa Borovilos, the 2020 champion, also went on to have an accomplished junior career. The current Texas A&M sophomore was a three-time Rolex Junior All-American and finished as the No. 3 ranked junior golfer and No. 1 player in Canada in the Class of 2024.
“We’re excited to have hosted the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) at Mill Creek for the past ten years,” Brian Tolnar, PGA Director of Golf & Recreation for Mill Creek MetroParks said. “This new 4-year partnership with the 1898 Foundation as the title sponsor will ensure the event stays in our region of the country and here in the Mahoning Valley through 2029. The economic impact for overnight stays, dining, retail spending and exploration of the weeklong event has exceeded the 3 million dollar mark for our local community as well as $80,000 toward local charities in our community. We cannot thank the 1898 Foundation and their Board of Directors enough for their long-term commitment to junior golf at Mill Creek Golf Course.”
The Junior All-Star Series is designed for players ages 12–15 who are ready to test their games on a national stage, while the ICL Academy Preview Series gives emerging golfers a chance to gain valuable experience in their first AJGA events. Together, the two tournaments at Mill Creek provide an early-season opportunity for young players to compete, learn and build confidence as they progress in their junior golf journeys. The multi-year extension keeps Mill Creek Golf Course as one of the AJGA’s most consistent Midwest hosts and ensures the region will continue to welcome junior golfers and their families for years to come.
For more information on the 1898 Foundation Junior All-Star or the 1898 Foundation Preview presented by ICL Academy (Ages 12-15), please visit ajga.org or contact Ryan Flanagan (rflanagan@ajga.org) in the AJGA Tournament Business Affairs Department.
About the AJGA
The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls, ages 12-19) of more than 10,000 members from 50 states and 51 foreign countries. Through initiatives like the Liberty National ACE Grant, a financial assistance program, and Leadership Links, a service-oriented platform that teaches juniors charitable-giving skills, the AJGA fosters the growth of golf’s next generation.
TaylorMade and adidas are the AJGA’s Global Sponsors, supporting the AJGA for more than 25 years. TaylorMade has served as the Official Ball of the AJGA since 2016. adidas has been the Official Apparel and Footwear of the AJGA since 2017. Rolex, in its fourth decade of AJGA sponsorship, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 1,000 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Jessica Korda, Nelly Korda, Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang.