Upgrades planned at Mill Creek MetroParks

At Mill Creek MetroParks, some important upgrades are planned for this summer.

A $260,000 upgrade will pave the way for smoother roads on Valley Drive, West Cohasset, and Lily Pond Drive. Close to half of the resurfacing project will be paid for with money from an Ohio Department of Transportation local funding opportunity grant.

“Paving will start probably midsummer. While the work is ongoing, those roads will be closed so we will detour around Mill Creek Park,” Justin Rogers, Director of Planning and Operations for Mill Creek MetroParks.

A $140,000 project will pay for a portion of the bike trail in Austintown to be repaved.

“That will take place from Kirk Road and New Road in Austintown. That is scheduled, probably midsummer,” Rogers said.

The south lot at the Golf Course will see about $200,000 in upgrades. That plan is also set to take place midsummer, include improving connections between the East Golf Hike & Bike Trail, with some park paths and improving access for walkers.

“Physical connections for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, making it safe across West Golf and around the parking lot with the connection over through the East Golf Hike and Bike Trail,” Rogers added.

Money for the parking lot and connectivity improvement project will come from the parks capital improvement fund, or taxpayers dollars.

A $140,000 project at the Fellow Riverside Gardens outdoor bathrooms will include insulation and state building code upgrades will be put in for bid again. That must be done because the bids submitted were over the allotted amount. When complete, those using the Cushwa Outdoor Education Building will be able to use those bathrooms all seasons of the year.

The year-round bathrooms in the future will also be able to be used by the future Children’s Garden redevelopment.

Money for that project will come from the parks operating budget.

The old police department that is deteriorating could be demolished in the next few weeks.

At the end of the year, the third phase of the Vickers Nature Preserve in Ellsworth Township is expected to begin. That includes a new indoor and outdoor four seasons pavilion to host events and programs. The design phase for the project is expected to take six months.

Mill Creek MetroParks believes the changes there will improve accessibility to the equestrian themed facility and hiking trails.