Mill Creek MetroParks programs for September, October | Activities include hikes, nature walks, children’s programming and fall trolley tours.
Bird walks & birding
Birding the Springfield Forest. 11840 Springfield Road, North Lima 44452. Register online or call 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Jeff Harvey will lead this early morning hike. Space is limited. Boots are required. Moderate, 1.25 miles. Register by Sept. 12. 8-9:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 14.
Birding the Sanctuary. Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, Mill Creek Metroparks, 2650 W. Calla Road, Canfield 44406. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Jeff Harvey will lead this early morning hike. Space is limited. Boots are required. Moderate, 2-mile hike. Register by Sept. 19. 8-9:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 28.
The Big Sit. Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, Mill Creek Metroparks, 2650 W. Calla Road, Canfield 44406. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. This dawn-to-dusk international birding event will showcase the diversity of bird species found at the Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary. Help count and record the bird species seen or heard from the observation deck. Stay for an hour or the entire day. Bring a comfortable chair and binoculars. Call for details. Led by the Audubon Society and Mill Creek MetroParks. 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 13.
Children: camps & leagues
Tiny Tikes Fall Soccer League. Wick Recreation Area, Mill Creek MetroParks, 1861 McCollum Road, Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7114. www.mil…. For ages 3-5. This learning league consists of a seven week-long season where teams will play seven games. No scores are kept. Call for details. 8 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Sep. 7-Oct. 12. $75 for residents, $85 nonresidents.
Archery Camp. Archery Range, Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield 44406. 330-740-7114. www.mil…. For ages 6-12. Drawn Archery will lead the camp. Call for details. 5:30-7:30 p.m., Sep. 23-26. $60 residents, $70 nonresidents.
Children: nature education
Critter Tales Farm Edition: Goats. Classroom A, Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield 44406. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. For ages 3-6 with an adult. Features a story time and hands-on activities. Register/pay online by Sept. 2.3 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 4. $7.
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 Sept. 9. No walk-ins, no pets. 10 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 11. $5.
Sprout Club – Hummingbirds. 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 a parent or caregiver. Features hands-on activities about hummingbirds. Register/pay by Sept. 17. 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19. $7.
Children & families: Halloween
Pumpkin Carving. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Help carve pumpkins for display at the annual Pumpkin Walk at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Carving tools will be available or bring your own. Meets at the Cushwa Outdoor Pavilion at the far end of the parking lot. Call for details. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19.
Pumpkin Walk at Twilight 2024. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. The gardens will be decorated with glowing pumpkins. 4-8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20.
Sprout Club – Pick a Pumpkin at the MetroParks Farm. Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield 44406. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. For ages 3-5 with a parent of caregiver. Features fun and hands-on activities learning about pumpkins. Includes a tractor and wagon ride to the pumpkin patch where participants can pick a pumpkin to take home. Register/pay by Oct. 22. 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24. $7.
Fitness & exercise
DEK Open Skate. DEK Hockey Rink, Wick Recreation Area, Mill Creek MetroParks, 1861 McCollum Road, Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7114. www.mil…. Bring your roller or inline skates to the DEK hockey rink for four hours of skating. All ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Call for details. Noon-4 p.m. on Sundays through Oct. 27.
T’ai Chi Basics for Beginners Course. Radius Program Classroom, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7116, ext. 230. www.mil…. Instructor Marie Lew will teach this classic art of energy balancing while developing coordination, flexibility and leg strength. For beginners. Register online or call. Noon-1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 5-Nov. 7. $120.
Yoga Basics Course. Radius Program Classroom, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7116, ext. 230. www.mil…. Led by instructor Karres Cvetkovich. Register online or call. This is an eight-week course. 9:15-10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 20-Dec. 8. $96.
Hikes & nature walks
Recreational Hikes. Newport Wetlands, Mill Creek MetroParks, Boardman 44512. 330-740-7114. www.mil…. Meet at the parking lot on West Newport Drive. Moderate 2-4 miles. Call for details. 9 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Wildflower Wander. Collier Preserve, 2819 W. Western Reserve Road, Canfield 44406.330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Explore native wildflowers and other plants with park educators and an Ohio certified volunteer naturalist. Meet at the Collier Preserve lower parking lot. Parking is limited. No restrooms on-site. No walk-ins. No pets. Register by Sept. 12. 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 14.
10 Miler. Bears Den Cabin, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7114. www.mil…. This 10-mile hike starts at Bear’s Den and travels around Lake Cohasset, Lake Newport and Lanterman’s Gorge. Difficult, due to distance and terrain. Wear comfortable hiking shoes. A 5-mile option will be available for those interested in a shorter hike. Call for details. 1-5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 15.
September Full Moon Hike. Collier Preserve, 2819 W. Western Reserve Road, Canfield 44406.330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Join park staff for an evening hike during the September full harvest moon. Meet at the Collier Preserve lower parking lot. Parking is limited. Includes a moderate, 2-3 mile hike. Bring a flashlight if you have one. A limited number of small flashlights will be available. Register/pay by Sept. 14. No restrooms on site. No walk-ins. No pets. 7:30-9 p.m., Monday, Sept. 16. $3.
Park Wanderings. Meet at the Newport Wetlands parking lot on West Newport Drive, Newport Wetlands, Mill Creek MetroParks, Boardman 44512. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Educator Miss Lynn will lead a leisurely stroll at the Newport Wetlands and Albert E. Davies Wetland Trail. Dress for the weather. Easy 0.25-mile walk. Register/pay by Sept. 18. No walk-ins, no pets. 9 a.m., Friday, Sept. 20. $5.
September Mushroom Meander. Meet at Slippery Rock Pavilion, Robinson Hill Drive
near Lake Glacier, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Join park educators and Ohio certified volunteer naturalist Gary Davenport in a hike/search for mushrooms. The hike is 2 miles on uneven terrain. Wear hiking shoes and dress for the weather. Bring a mushroom field guide, if you have one. The group will make stops and identify mushrooms. Registration required. Register/pay by Sept. 19. No pets. No walk-ins. 11 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Sept. 21. $3.
First Day of Fall: Scavenger Hunt Hike. Captain John Struthers Pavilion, Yellow Creek Park, Mill Creek MetroParks, 19½ Lowellville Road, Struthers 44471. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Park staff will lead a scavenger hunt/hike to scout early signs of autumn. Take home a simple leaf rubbing craft. Hike is 1-2 miles and moderately difficult. Register by Sept. 20. No walk-ins, no pets. 2-3:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22.
Mindful Meandering: ‘Forest Bathing’ Hike. Parking lot, McGuffey Wildlife Preserve, 4448 McGuffey Road, Lowellville 44436. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Led by certified forest therapy guide Alyson Scheibe. Learn how to reconnect with nature using Japanese forest bathing principles. Hike is approximately 1 mile. Dress for the weather. No restrooms, no walk-ins, no pets. Register by Sept. 22. 6:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 24. $12.
Recreational Hikes. Meet at Golf Course overflow parking lot on West Golf Drive, Mill Creek MetroParks, Boardman. 330-740-7114. www.mil…. Easy, 2-4 miles. Call for details. 9 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Recreational Hikes. Meet at Scholl Recreation Area, Bears Den Road, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7114. www.mil…. Moderate 2-4 miles. Call for details. 9 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9.
MetroMutts: Howl-O-Ween Hike. AgVenture Barn, Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield 44406. 330-740-7114. www.mil…. Includes a hike, dog costume contest, prizes and refreshments. Bring your dog dressed in his/her Halloween finest. Hike is easy, 1-2 miles. Call for details. Noon-1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19. Members free, nonmembers $10.
Recreational Hikes. Overflow parking lot, Lanterman’s Mill, Mill Creek MetroParks, 980 Canfield Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7114. www.mil…. Moderate, 2-4 mile hike. Call for details. 9 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 23.
Trolley tours
End of Summer Trolley Tour. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. View natural and historic views aboard the Cohasset Express. Register/pay online or call. 1:30-2:30 p.m. and 3-4 p.m., Sept. 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17. $10 (resident), $12 (nonresident). $7 (senior/youth resident), $9 (senior/youth nonresident).
Rock the Park – a Geological Exploration of Mill Creek Park. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Ever wonder how Mill Creek Park was formed? For much of geologic history, Ohio was underwater and near the equator. Travel back 300 million years and explore the formation of the park throughout geologic time aboard the Cohasset Express. Register/pay by Sept. 10. 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 12. $10 (resident), $12 (nonresident). $7 (senior/youth resident), $9 (senior/youth nonresident).
Rock the Park – a Geological Exploration of Mill Creek Park. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Ever wonder how Mill Creek Park was formed? For much of geologic history, Ohio was underwater and near the equator. Travel back 300 million years and explore the formation of the park throughout geologic time aboard the Cohasset Express. Register/pay by Sept. 19. 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Sept. 21. $10 (resident), $12 (nonresident). $7 (senior/youth resident), $9 (senior/youth nonresident).
Autumn Trolley Tour. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. Register/pay online or call 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. View natural and historic views aboard the Cohasset Express. 1:30-2:30 p.m. and 3-4 p.m., Sept. 22, 24,29, Oct. 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29. $10 (resident), $12 (nonresident). $7 (senior/youth resident), $9 (senior/youth nonresident).
Haunted Trolley Tour. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. Register/pay online or call 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Board the Cohasset Express to look for ghostly figures and unexplained orbs of light. Adults only. Limited seating available. Reservations required. 6:30-8 p.m., Oct. 4, 18, 25, 31. $20.
Rock the Park – a Geological Exploration of Mill Creek Park. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Ever wonder how Mill Creek Park was formed? For much of geologic history, Ohio was underwater and near the equator. Travel back 300 million years and explore the formation of the park throughout geologic time aboard the Cohasset Express. Register/pay by Oct. 8. 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 10. $10 (resident), $12 (nonresidents). $7 (senior/youth resident), $9, (senior/youth nonresident).
Park Wanderings. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Educator Miss Lynn of Park Wanderings will lead an exploration of fall colors from the Cohasset Express. Limited seating. Dress for the weather. Register/pay by Oct. 23. No walk-ins, no pets. 9 a.m., Friday, Oct. 25. $5.
Other
Painted Memories. Weller Gallery, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7116. www.mil…. Features the work from local artist Beth Basista with more than 40 paintings in oils, acrylics and watercolors that capture landscapes found throughout Mill Creek Parks. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, Sept. 1-Oct. 16.
Paranormal Investigation 101. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. Register online or call 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Join Eric Williamson and the Collective Paranormal Research team as they discuss recent paranormal investigations at several park locations. Registration is required. Limited seating. Register by Sept. 16. 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18. $3.
Haunted Mill? In the dark of the Night. Lanterman’s Mill, Mill Creek MetroParks, 980 Canfield Road, Youngstown 44511. Register online or call 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. A local paranormal group will lead an investigation at Lanterman’s Mill. For adults 18 and older. Space limited. Registration required. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 9-11 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28. $25.
Haunted Mill? In the Dark of the Night. Lanterman’s Mill, Mill Creek MetroParks, 980 Canfield Road, Youngstown 44511. Register by Oct. 17 online or call 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. A local paranormal group will lead an investigation at Lanterman’s Mill. For adults 18 and older. Space limited. Registration required. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 9-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26. $25.
Witch Hunt. Flats parking lot, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Learn about the urban legend of the Witch’s Den area, while exploring the geology of the site. Includes a moderate, 1-mile hike along the Witch’s Den and Cascade Ravine. Hike has difficult terrain with steep steps and rocks. Wear proper hiking shoes. Register by Oct. 25. No walk-ins, no pets. 2-3:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 27.
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