MetroParks recreation, nature programs for April | Programs include children’s and family activities, hikes and nature walks.
Bird walks
Birding the Sanctuary. Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, 2650 W. Calla Road, Canfield 44406. 330-702-3000. www.mil…. Join Jeff Harvey on this 1.25-mile hike. Call 330-740-7107, extension 129 to register by April 17. Boots required. 8-9:30 a.m., Saturday, April 19.
Nature education: children
Forest Babies. Education Building Classroom A, Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, extension129. www.mil…. Children ages 1-3 years will explore the trails and create a nature craft. Register/pay by March 31 (online or call). This program includes an outdoor activity. No pets. $5. 10-11 a.m., Thursday, April 2.
Critter Tales: Animal Moms. Education Building Classrooms A and B, Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, extension 129. www.mil…. For ages 3-5, with an adult. Learn about animal moms and listen to a tale about animal families. Includes a hike and a nature craft to take home. Register/pay by April 22 (online or call). $5 per child. 10-11 a.m., Thursday, April 24.
Children & families
Coffee With the Birds. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, extension129. www.mil…. Ages 12 and older can havey a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate. A park educator will help participants identify the birds in Nancy’s Nook. Registration required by April 4 (online or call). 8:30-9:30 a.m., Sunday, April 6. $5.
Waterfowl Watch. Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, 2650 W. Calla Road, Canfield 44406. 330-702-3000. www.mil…. Take a moderate 1-2 mile hike and learn about waterfowl and raptors that stop in the area while migrating. Call 330-740-7107, extension 129 to register by April 4. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Sunday, April 6.
Farm Animal Baby Shower. Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield 44406. www.mil…. Welcome new arrivals to the barns and see who might still be expecting. Includes tractor-wagon rides, cones with feed, and concessions for sale. Animal Barn entrance is free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, April 26.
Gardening
Ready, Set, GROW Gardening Program. Education Building, Classroom B, Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, extension129. A weekly gardening program for a child (in grade 2 or older) and an adult partner. Participants will join park educators to learn the basics for gardening and will have their own raised garden bed to plant, tend, and harvest all summer long at the MetroParks Farm (7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road). Registration required. $125 (for child/adult pair). 5-7 p.m. every Thursday, April 3-Aug. 23.
Hikes & nature walks
Recreational Hike. Meet at Lake Cohasset Parking Lot, Mill Creek Metroparks, Boardman 44512. 330-740-7114. www.mil…. Call for details regarding this hike on Cascade Ravine and West Cohasset Trails. 9-10 a.m., Wednesday, April 9.
Woodcock Walk. Collier Preserve, Mill Creek MetroParks, 2819 W. Western Reserve Road, Canfield 44406. 330-702-3000. www.mil…. Ages 13 and older can take a moderate hike in search of American Woodcocks. Call 330-740-7107, extension 129 to register by April 9. No pets. 7-8:30 p.m., Friday, April 11.
Accessible Full Moon Hike – Pink Moon. Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield 44406. www.mil…. Join Park staff for a hike on the night of the Pink Moon. Travel along the MetroParks Bikeway on a slow-paced hike with a focus on mindfulness in nature. Register/pay by April 10, (online or call 330-740-7107, extension 129). No pets. $3. 7:30-9 p.m., Saturday, April 12.
MetroMutts: Stop & Smell the Daffodils, Daffodil Meadow Hike. Meet at East Newport Boat Launch, East Newport Drive, Mill Creek MetroParks, Boardman 44512. 330-740-7107. www.mil…. An easy 1-mile hike toward Daffodil Meadow. $10 (non-members), free (members). Noon-1 p.m., Saturday, April 19.
Walk with a Geologist: Cohasset Loop. Parking lot of Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, extension 129. www.mil…. Join a park educator and explore the geology and natural beauty of the Cohasset Loop. Registration required for this moderate 2-3-mile hike with slight grades and some steps. Hiking boots recommended. Registration required by April 17 (online or call). 2-3:30 p.m., Saturday, April 19.
Park Safari: Bear’s Den. Meet at Bears Den Cabin parking lot, Mill Creek MetroParks, off Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44501. 330-740-7116, extension 129. www.mil…. A moderate, slow-paced hike through Bear’s Den area. Registration required by April 19 (online or call). No pets. 9-11 a.m., Monday, April 21.
Recreational Hike. Meet at Scholl Recreation Area Parking Lot, Mill Creek Metroparks, Boardman 44512. 330-740-7114. www.mil…. Call for details regarding this hike on Dogwood Hill Trail. 9-10 a.m., Wednesday, April 23.
Park Wanderings. Parking lot of Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, extension 129. www.mil…. Join educator Miss Lynn for a ride on the Cohasset Express Trolley to take a stroll at Daffodil Meadow. Dress for the weather. Limited seating. Register/pay by April 23 (online or call). No pets. $5. 9-10 a.m., Friday, April 25.
Frog Walk. Vickers Nature Preserve, Mill Creek MetroParks, 10334 W. Akron-Canfield Road, Canfield 44406. 330-702-3000. www.mil…. Take a 1-2 mile hike with park staff and learn about native frogs. Registration required by April 23 at 330-740-7107, extension 129. No pets. 8-9:30 p.m., Friday, April 25.
Nature education
Mushroom Meander 101. Education Classroom A, Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, extension129. www.mil…. Join Gary Davenport, Ohio certified volunteer naturalist, to learn about local mushrooms and other fungi, their roles in nature, and how to get involved in volunteer community science opportunities. Register by April 16 (online or call). No pets. 6-7 p.m., Friday, April 18.
An Evening in Nature. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, extension129. www.mil…. Join a park educator around the fire pit (behind the Education Building) to learn about the sights and sounds of an evening in nature. Includes an optional stroll. Register by April 16 (online or call). 8-9:30 p.m., Friday, April 18.
Traveling Naturalist: Daffodil Meadow. East Newport Boat Launch, East Newport Drive, Mill Creek MetroParks, Boardman 44512. 330-740-7107. www.mil…. Join a park educator at Daffodil Meadow to learn about the history and biology of daffodils. Weather dependent. Noon-3 p.m., Saturday, April 19.
World of Warblers. Education Classroom A, Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, extension129. www.mil…. Learn about the lives of Warblers with a focus on the why and how of migration. Registration required by April 26 (online or call). 6-7 p.m., Monday, April 28.
Sports & recreation
Disc Golf 101. Field Course (Hole #2), Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road Canfield 44406. www.mil…. Learn the basics needed to play disc golf. Bring a disc or rent one for $2.50. Meeting dates are April 4, May 2, June 6, July 11, Aug. 1, Sept. 5, Oct. 3 and Nov. 7. Call Wick Recreation Center at 330-740-7114 to register. 4:30-5 p.m., Friday, April 4.
Fishing at the Farm. Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield 44406. www.mil…. Bring your own fishing equipment or use what is available. Participants ages 16 and older must have a valid fishing license. Meet at the Fishing Pond (Disc Golf, Hole #2). Meeting dates are April 4, May 2, June 6, July 11, Aug. 1, Sept. 5, Oct. 3, and Nov. 7. 5-6:30 p.m., Friday, April 4.
Boaters Education Course. Wick Recreation Area, Mill Creek MetroParks, 1861 McCollum Road, Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7114. www.mil…. An eight-hour class in boating and water safety presented by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Watercraft. A proficiency exam will be issued at the end of class. Those who pass will obtain a lifetime boating license. Registration required (online or call). 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, April 12.
Trolley Tours
Daffodil Day Trolley Tour. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7116, extension 230. Take the trolley to Daffodil Meadow to celebrate spring and the daffodils. Register/pay by April 24, (online or call 330-740-7107, extension 129). $12 (non-resident adults), $10 (resident); $9 (non-resident seniors/youth), $7 (resident). 11 a.m.-noon and 12:30-1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 26.
Other
Paranormal Investigation of Pioneer Pavilion. Pioneer Pavilion, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, extension 129. www.mil…. Join Park staff and the Collective Paranormal Research Society for a paranormal investigation of Pioneer Pavilion, which was built in 1821. For ages 18 and older only. Register/pay by April 17, (online or call). $40. 8-11 p.m., Saturday, April 19.
Earth Day Cleanup. Wick Recreation Area, Mill Creek MetroParks, 1861 McCollum Road, Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7114. www.mil…. Local Boy Scout Troops, Cub Scout Packs, Girl Scout Troops, and other organizations will help to clear out winter’s accumulation of litter across the MetroParks. Register by April 16 to reserve a work area. 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, April 26.
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