Mill Creek MetroParks programs for December, January | Winter activities include full-moon hikes, nature walks, children’s programming and a new nature education series. Also look for special holiday events in December.
HOLIDAY EVENTS
Christmas at the Mill. Lanterman’s Mill, Mill Creek MetroParks, 980 Canfield Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7115. Features a traditional holiday atmosphere – fire-roasted chestnuts, artisans, handcrafted items and entertainment. Santa will visit Lanterman’s Mill both days. To share in the holiday spirit, visitors can bring a new hat, scarf or a pair of mittens to decorate the “Giving Tree.” Donated items will go to children and adults in need. Call for details. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
Winter Celebration Festival of Trees. Davis Center, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. www.mil…. Features over 75 decorated trees decorated by area nonprofits. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Dec. 6, 10-13, 17-20, 26-29, 31 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Dec. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22.
Winter Nights. Davis Center, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. www.mil…. The grounds will be decorated with light displays and the Davis Center will feature 75 “Winter Celebration” trees. The Garden Café by Kravitz and the Shop in the Gardens will be open during “Winter Nights.” 4-7 p.m., Dec. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22.
Holiday Nights at Lanterman’s Mill. Lanterman’s Mill, Mill Creek MetroParks, 980 Canfield Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7115. Features an exclusive, nighttime peek inside this iconic Valley structure. Lanterman’s Mill will be decorated for the holidays. The gift shop also will be open for last-minute shopping. 5-7 p.m., Dec. 13-14.
Festive Finds Weekend. Rossi Auditorium, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. www.mil…. This holiday sale will feature over 25 vendors. In addition, visitors can see holiday trees decorated by local nonprofits. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Dec. 14-15.
HIKES & WALKS
Recreational Hikes. Meets at Golf Course overflow parking lot on West Golf Drive, Mill Creek MetroParks, Boardman. 330-740-7114. www.mil…. Volunteer-led hikes focus on exercising in the outdoors. Easy, 2-4 miles. Call for details. 9-10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4.
Walk With a Geologist. Meets at the Lily Pond parking lot, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Learn about Mill Creek Park’s first artificial body of water during a winter stroll with a geologist. The walk is 0.25-mile on easy terrain. Registration required. Register by Dec. 6. No walk-ins, no pets. 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8.
December Full Moon Hike. Meet at the Newport Wetlands parking lot, Newport Wetlands, Mill Creek MetroParks, Boardman 44512. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. MetroParks staff will lead a hike along West Newport Trail. Hike is approximately 1 mile with hills. Moderately difficult. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight, if you have one. A limited number of small flashlights will be available. Register/pay by Dec. 13. No restrooms on site. Registration required. No walk-ins. No pets. 4:30-6:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15. $3.
Recreational Hikes. Meets at the Wick Recreation Area parking lot, Mill Creek MetroParks, 1861 McCollum Road, Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7114. www.mil…. Features a moderate, 2-4 mile hike. 9-10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Recreational Hike. Wick Recreation Area, Mill Creek MetroParks, 1861 McCollum Road, Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7114. www.mil…. Hike occurs on the Bears Den Trail. 9-10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Winter Tree ID Hike. Springfield Forest, 1840 Springfield Road, North Lima 44452. Register online or call 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Includes an easy, wintry hike through Springfield Forest. A MetroParks educator will help participants identify trees. The group will be outside for an extended period of time with no restrooms. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy boots. Recommended for ages 10 and older. Register by Jan. 9. 1-2:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11.
January Full Moon Hike – Wolf Moon. Meets at the parking lot, Collier Preserve, 2819 W. Western Reserve Road, Canfield 44406. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. MetroParks staff will lead the evening hike. Parking is limited, so try to carpool. Hike is 1-2 miles over grassy, bumpy terrain. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight, if you have one. A limited number of small flashlights will be available. Register/pay by Jan. 9. No restrooms on site. No walk-ins, no pets. 5-6:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11. $3.
Cabin Fever. Education Building, Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Participates will create a natural bird feeder to hang along the trail during a short hike. Dress for the weather. Walk is approximately 0.5 miles over flat terrain. In the event of inclement weather, an alternative date will be set. Register/pay by Jan. 16. No walk-ins, no pets. 1-2:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18. $3.
Walk With a Geologist. Lake Glacier Boathouse, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Meets at Lake Glacier Boathouse. Park on Calvary Run. A MetroParks educator will explain the geology of Lake Glacier and surrounding areas. Includes a moderate, 1-2 mile hike. Dress for the weather. Sturdy hiking boots are recommended. In the event of inclement weather, an alternative date will be set. Register by Jan. 17. No walk-ins, no pets. 2-3:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 19.
Recreational Hike. Meets at the Lower Bears Den West parking lot, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. The group will hike along the Bears Den Ravine Trail. 9-10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Winter Tracks and Signs Hike. Vickers Pavilion, Vickers Nature Preserve, 10334 W. Akron-Canfield Road, Canfield 44406. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Learn how to spot and identify animal tracks and other signs of life in the winter landscape with a MetroParks educator. For ages 12 and older. Hike is moderately difficult. Wear sturdy boots and dress for the weather. Register by Jan. 9. 1:30-3:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25. $3.
Hike With an Educator: Cohasset Loop. Meets at the Pioneer Pavilion parking lot, Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. This new educator-led program will explore different MetroParks locations. This month, the group will hike the trails along Lake Cohasset. Hike is moderately difficult. No pets. 9-11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 27.
METRO MUTTS
MetroMutts: Jingle Mutts. Yellow Creek Lodge, Yellow Creek Park, Mill Creek MetroParks, 19½ Lowellville Road, Struthers 44471. 330-740-7114. Make a jingle bell collar for your dog and join the group on the trail at Yellow Creek. Participants will warm up in the Yellow Creek Lodge with hot chocolate. Call for details. 11 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Dec. 14. Members admitted for free. Nonmembers are $10.
NATURE EDUCATION
Rock Talk. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107. www.mil….
Do you have a favorite rock sitting around your home? Not sure what it is? Bring it to the Ford Nature Center Education Building where a park educator will identify it and explain how it was formed. Noon-2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14.
Traveling Naturalist: Lanterman’s Mill. Lanterman’s Mill, Mill Creek MetroParks, 980 Canfield Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. A MetroParks educator will be on site with geologic artifacts. This event is weather-dependent. Call for details. Noon-3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 4.
Coffee With the Birds. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Celebrate National Bird Day. A MetroParks educator will help identify the birds that frequent the Nature Center, while interpreting their behavior and ecology. Visitors can have cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate while they watch birds at the feeders. Registration required. Space is limited. No walk-ins. For ages 12 and older. Register/pay by Jan. 3. 8-8:30 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 5. $5.
Winter Talks – Mushrooms 101. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Ohio-certified volunteer naturalist Gary Davenport will discuss mushrooms and other fungi and explain their roles in nature. The discussion will cover fungi found in Mill Creek MetroParks and how to get involved in volunteer community science. Register/pay by Jan. 8. No walk-ins. No pets. 6-7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 10. $3.
Winter Talks: Native Americans of the Valley. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Learn about 15,000 years of local human history beginning with the Paleolithic era with the Mahoning Valley’s first inhabitants. The program will be lead by Traci Manning, curator of education at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society. Manning will explore Native American history through pioneer settlement with a focus on key changes over time, treaties and events. Register/pay by Jan. 9. For 16 years or older. 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 11. $3.
Winter Talks – Science of Bigfoot: Is the Proof Out There? Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Learn where Ohio ranks in the number of sightings by state and how many sightings there have been in Mahoning County. Local Bigfoot enthusiast Amy Bue will present. Bring Bigfoot stories to share. Register/pay by Jan. 15. 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 17. $3.
Winter Talks – Stories of Mill Creek Park. Education Building, Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Educator Miss Lynn will lead a program on the history and lore of Mill Creek Park. Register by Jan. 16. For adults and 16 and older. 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 18. $3.
Winter Talks – Ford Nature Center: (Re)Building a Hub for Education. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. MetroParks Planning and Operations director Justin Rogers will share behind-the-scenes details on the recent Ford Nature Center rehabilitation. Register/pay by Jan. 29. For 16 and older. 6-7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21. $3.
Winter Talks: Native Plants. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Jillian Lemons of the Mahoning County Land Bank will lead a discussion on native plants. Register/pay by Jan. 22. For 16 years and older. 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 24. $3.
NATURE EDUCATION: CHILDREN
Forest Babies. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. For ages 1-3 with a parent or caregiver. Explore the trails at Ford Nature Center and create a simple nature craft. Includes an outdoor nature time. Dress for the weather. Register/pay by Dec. 9. No walk-ins, no pets. 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11. $5 per child.
Forest Babies. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. For ages 1-3 with a parent or caregiver. Explore the trails at Ford Nature Center and create a simple nature craft. Dress for the weather. Includes an outdoor nature time. Register/pay by Jan. 6. No walk-ins, no pets. 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8. $5 per child.
Critter Tales – Winter Tails. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. For ages 3-5 with an adult. Ever wonder how animals keep warm in winter? Where do they go? What do they eat? The group will read a story, go on a snowy scavenger hunt and make a simple bird feeder craft. Register/pay online by Jan. 21. 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 23. $7 per child.
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