Hikes, walks & nature events
Dazzling Flights I. McGuffey Wildlife Preserve, Mill Creek MetroParks; 330-740-7107. The first of two opportunities to witness the dazzling courtship flight of the woodcock. Call Ford for details. Easy, .5 miles. 7:30-8:30 p.m., Saturday, April 1.
It’s Ephemeral. Newport Wetlands Parking Lot, Mill Creek MetroParks; 330-740-7107. Nature in spring is ephemeral or fleeting. We’ll explore for vernal pools – temporary pond habitat for spring breeding. Wear boots. Call Ford for details. Moderate, 1.5 miles. 2-4 p.m., Sunday, April 2.
Woodland Wonders from the Wild with Barry Glick. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown, 44509; 330-740-7116. Join native plant expert, Barry Glick for a fascinating wild wander into the wonderful world of woodland wildflowers. Registration requested, not required. 6:30-8 p.m., Sunday, April 2. Free.
Eagle Watch. Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, Mill Creek MetroParks; 330-740-7107. Join Jeff Harvey of Wild Birds Unlimited to search to observe bald eagles. Space is limited. Registration required; no drop-ins. Register at Ford by April 1. 8-9 a.m. or 9-10 a.m., Sunday, April 2.
Recreational Hikes. Mill Creek MetroParks; 330-740-7107. 9 a.m., Wednesday, April 5 – Meet at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at Kirk Road. Easy, 2 or 4 miles. 9 a.m., Wednesday, April 19 – Meet at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at MetroParks Farm. Easy. 2 or 4 miles. Recreational Hikes, generally led by volunteers, are faster paced to focus on exercise.
Dazzling Flights II. MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at MetroParks Farm, Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield, 44406; 330-702-3000. Spring is in the air and so are male woodcocks. Witness the dazzling courtship flight of the woodcock. Call Ford for details. Moderate, 1.5 miles. 7:30-9 p.m., Thursday, April 6.
Daffodil Weekend Trolley. Boards at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown, 44509; 330-740-7116. Take the trolley from Fellows to Daffodil Meadow in celebration of daffodils. Register/pay at Ford by April 6. 10:30-11:30 a.m. or 1-2 p.m., Saturday, April 8. Adults: $7 R, $10 NR; 12 and under/60 and over: $5 R, $8 NR. Additional fee after deadline.
Daffodil Weekend. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown, 44509; 330-740-7116. Discover the delights of daffodils during Daffodil Weekend. Enter your bloom in the daffodil show at the Davis Center (Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8) in a show that highlights the diversity and beauty of daffodils. Take the trolley on Saturday, April 8 from the Gardens down to Lake Newport to explore Daffodil Meadow. Stroll through the Gardens on April 8 during a guided walk to see the over 200 different species and cultivars in the narcissus collection. Daffodil Show details: Friday, April 7, entries accepted: 3-5 p.m.; Saturday, April 8, entries accepted: 8-10 a.m., judging: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and show: 1-5 p.m.; and Sunday, April 9, show: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., April 7-8.
Guided Daffodil Walk. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown, 44509; 330-740-7116. Delight in the beauty, diversity, and fragrance of daffodils on this guided walk with Gordon Vujevic, daffodil expert. Meet in the Davis Center Lobby. Drop-in. 2 p.m., Saturday, April 8. Free.
Owl: The Year in the Lives of North American Owls. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown, 44509; 330-740-7116. Award winning photographer Paul Bannick, takes you on a year-long journey of 19 species of owls in their distinct habitats. Registration requested, not required. 2:30-4:30 p.m., Sunday, April 9. Free.
Birding the Sanctuary. Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, Mill Creek MetroParks; 330-740-7107. Take an early morning bird walk at the Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary led by Jeff Harvey. Space is limited. Boots required. Register at Ford by April 13. Moderate, 1.25 miles. 8-9:30 a.m., Saturday, April 15.
Traveling Naturalist. Lily Pond Parking Lot, Mill Creek MetroParks; 330-740-7107. Explore the Lily Pond’s habitat and wildlife while chatting with a naturalist. Call Ford for details. 1:30-3:30 p.m., Saturday, April 15.
Trees in Bloom. Lily Pond Parking Lot, Mill Creek MetroParks; 330-740-7107. Spring is in the air, quite literally. Look for the first signs of spring with the trees on the Old Tree Trail. Call Ford for details. Moderate, 1.5 miles. 2-4 p.m., Sunday, April 23.
Hike with a Baby. Classroom A, Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield, 44406; 330-702-3000. This activity is for 0-24 months with an adult. Hike with your baby and do a fun craft. Baby carrier only. No strollers. Register at Ford by April 20. Moderate. 2 miles. 10:30 a.m.-noon, Sunday, April 23. $2 R; $4 NR per child. Additional fee after deadline.
Spring Ride. Boards at Ford Nature Center, Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks; 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511; 330-740-7107. Enjoy Spring in Mill Creek MetroParks. Limited seating. Register/pay at least two days ahead at Ford. 2-3:30 p.m., or 4-5:30 p.m., Saturday, April 29. Adults: $8 R, $11 NR; seniors/youth: $6 R, $9 NR. Additional fee after deadline.
Health & Fitness
Yoga in the Gardens. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown, 44509; 330-740-7116.This class is taught by Marina Perdos. Bring a mat and small blanket. 9:30-11 a.m., April 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27. $12/class.
Chair to Mat Movement. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown, 44509; 330-740-7116. Chair to Mat Movement with Michelle O’Brien is designed to increase mobility and flexibility for those who find seated floor movement challenging. Drop-in. $10/class. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., April 4, 11, 18, 25.
The Pillars of Health & Wellness: Spirituality-Gratitude & Nature. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown, 44509; 330-740-7116. Join Dr. Kathy Padgitt to learn more about the value of a plant-based diet and gratitude. Register/pay by April 2. 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, April 4. $10.
T’ai Chi Step One in the Gardens. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown, 44509; 330-740-7116. Warm-ups, breathing exercises and movements with Marie Lew will ease stress, improve health, and increase vitality. Drop-in. Noon-1 p.m., April 5, 12, 19, 26. Noon-1 p.m. $10/class.
Ohio Boating Education Course. Yellow Creek Park Lodge, Yellow Creek Park, Mill Creek MetroParks, 19 1/2 Lowellville Road, Struthers, 44471; 330-755-7275.
Basics of safe boating presented by ODNR Division of Watercraft. Includes exam and satisfies Ohio Boater Education Requirement. Register in advance at Ford. 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, April 22. $10 fee.
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