Holiday displays, marketplace return to Fellows Riverside Gardens. “Frost & Lights: A Festive Holiday” features indoor and outdoor displays and handcrafted goods.
HOLIDAY DISPLAYS
Frost & Lights: A Festive Holiday at the Gardens. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7116. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Features a celebration full of twinkling lights, festive trees, and holiday cheer for all ages. Includes:
- Festival of Trees. Features an indoor display of decorated live trees. Dec. 7-Jan. 4 (closed Mondays).
- Winter Nights. Offers an evening stroll through the Gardens glowing with outdoor lights. 5-7 p.m., Dec. 7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28. Includes holiday characters making special appearances.
- Festive Finds Weekend. Features local and handcrafted goods. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Dec. 13-14.
HOLIDAY PROGRAMS
Holiday Nights at Lanterman’s Mill. Mill Creek MetroParks, 980 Canfield Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7114. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Features an exclusive, night-time look inside this iconic 19th-century structure dressed in holiday style. The gift shop will be open for last minute shopping. Hot chocolate and popcorn will be available for sale. Santa is also expected to make a visit. Limited restroom facilities available. No pets. 5-7 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, Dec. 13-14.
Winter Solstice Celebration. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. The solstice celebration will offer a fire, hot beverages and a winter-themed craft. The fire will be located behind the Ford Nature Center Education Building. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate will be available. Dress for the weather and bring a camp chair. Registration required. Register/pay by Dec. 19. No walk-ins. No pets. 3-5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 21. $5.
Other MetroParks activities this season
HIKES & NATURE WALKS
Recreational Hike. Meet at the Volney Rogers Field parking lot, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown. 330-740-7114. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Hike on the East Glacier Trail. Call Wick Recreation Area for details. 9-10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Full Moon Hike – Cold Moon. Newport Wetlands, Mill Creek MetroParks, Boardman 44512. 330-740-7114. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Park staff will lead a moon-lit hike along the Newport Wetlands. For ages 12 and older. Moderate difficulty, 2 miles. Register/pay online by Dec. 3 or call 330-740-7107, ext. 129. No walk-ins. 5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5. $3.
Winter Ecology Walk & Talk. Sawmill Creek Preserve. Mill Creek Metroparks, S. Turner Road, Canfield 44406. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Where to frogs go in the winter? How do birds survive the cold? Why do trees lose their leaves? Learn more about winter ecology on a hike through Sawmill Preserve. Hike is 2 miles and moderately-difficult. Occurs rain or shine. No restrooms onsite. Call or register/pay online by Dec. 5. No walk-ins. Noon-1:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7. $3.
Hike with a Naturalist: Collier Preserve. Collier Preserve. Mill Creek Metroparks, 2823 W. Western Reserve Road Canfield 44406. This month the group will explore Collier Preserve. Moderate difficulty, 2 miles. Muddy/uneven terrain is possible. Registration required. No restrooms onsite. Register online by Dec. 11. No walk-ins. Rain or shine. 9-11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 13.
Winter Wonderland Hike. Outside Lanterman’s Mill, Mill Creek MetroParks, 980 Canfield Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. A park educator will lead a moderate, 1-2 mile walk that takes in the sights of the season. The group will return to Lanterman’s Mill in time to check out “Holiday Nights.” Registration required. Register online or call by Dec. 11. No walk-ins. No pets. 3-4:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13.
Winter Wonderland Hike. Outside Lanterman’s Mill, Mill Creek MetroParks, 980 Canfield Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. A park educator will lead a moderate, 1-2 mile walk that takes in the sights of the season. The group will return to Lanterman’s Mill in time to check out “Holiday Nights.” Register by Dec. 12. No walk-ins. 3-4:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14.
Recreational Hike. Yellow Creek Lodge, Yellow Creek Park, Mill Creek MetroParks, 19½ Lowellville Road, Struthers 44471. 330-740-7114. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Hike Yellow Creek Trail. Meets at the Yellow Creek Lodge. Call Wick Recreation Area for details. 9-10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Walk with a Geologist: The Gorge in Winter. Outside Lanterman’s Mill, Mill Creek MetroParks, 980 Canfield Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Join a park educator as the group explores the geology of the Gorge. Moderate 1-2 mile hike. Registration required. Register/pay online by Dec. 18 or call. No walk-ins. No pets. 2-3:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 20. $3.
Winter Solstice Walk. Ford Nature Education Center parking lot, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Join a park educator for a moderate 1-2 mile walk. The group will return in time for a Winter Solstice Celebration (separate registration required). Register online or call by Dec. 19. No walk-ins. No pets. 1-2:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 21.
Full Moon Hike – Wolf Moon. Collier Preserve parking lot. Mill Creek Metroparks, 2823 W. Western Reserve Road Canfield 44406. Park educators will lead a moon-lit evening walk. Hear nature’s sounds and sights under the full Wolf Moon. In the event of inclement weather, an alternative date will be provided. For ages 12 and older. Moderate terrain, 2 miles. Register/pay online or call by Jan. 1, online or call 330-740-7107, ext. 129. No walk-ins. No pets. 4:30-6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 3. $5.
Winter Wildlife Track and Sign Hike. George L. Fordyce Park (formerly Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary). 2650 W. Calla Road, Canfield 44406. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Learn how to find and identify animal tracks and other signs of life in the winter landscape with a park educator. For ages 10 and older. Moderately difficult. Dress for the weather and wear proper winter footwear. Register by Jan. 2. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 4.
Winter Tree ID Hike. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. A park educator will guide participants on tree identification in deep winter. Recommended for ages 10 and older. Hike is easy. Wear proper boots and dress for the weather. Register online or call by Jan. 15. No walk-ins. No pets. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 17.
Full Moon Hike – Snow Moon. George L. Fordyce Park (formerly Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary). 2650 W. Calla Road, Canfield 44406. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Park educators will lead a moon-lit evening walk under a full moon. In the event of inclement weather, an alternative date will be provided. For ages 12 and older. Moderate terrain, 2 miles. Register/pay by Jan. 29. No walk-ins. 5-6:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31. $5.
NATURE EDUCATION
Traveling Naturalist. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. A naturalist will be on hand to answer all your nature questions. 3-5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7.
Traveling Naturalist. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. A park educator will be on site to answer all your nature question. All are welcome. Noon-3 p.m., Friday, Jan. 2.
Back to Nature: Natural Bird Feeders. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. A park educator will show how to create a natural bird feeder to hang along the All-People’s Trail. Dress for the weather. Walk is approximately 0.3 miles over flat terrain. In the event of bad weather, an alternative date will be provided. Register/pay online or call by Jan. 1. No walk-ins. No pets. Noon-1:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 3. $5.
Coffee With the Birds: Dark Eyed Juncos I. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. This program features the dark eyed junco. Includes a themed mini lesson and guided birdwatching at the feeders at the Ford Nature Center. Registration required. Register/pay by Jan. 2. No walk-ins. Ages 12 and older. 8:30-9:30 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 4. $5.
Coffee With the Birds: Dark Eyed Juncos II. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. This month’s bird program features the dark eyed junco. includes a themed mini lesson and birdwatching at the feeders. Registration required. Register/pay by Jan. 9. No walk-ins. For ages 12 and older. 8:30-9:30 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 11. $5.
Rock Talk. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Do you have a favorite rock sitting around your home? Not sure what it is? Bring it to Ford Nature Center Education and have a park educator identify your rock and tell how it was formed. Walk-ins welcome. No registration required. 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 18.
NATURE EDUCATION: CHILDREN
Forest Babies. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. For ages 1-3. Explore the trails at Ford Nature Center and then make a simple nature craft. Children and adults should dress for the weather. Register/pay online by Dec. 1. 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 3. $5.
Nature Explorers – Evergreens Science. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Children in the first through third grade can explore nature through experiments and hands-on activities. This month covers the science of evergreens. Dress for the weather. A child-only program. Parents will drop off and pick up. Register/pay by Dec. 4. 1-2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6.
Creature Feature: Otters and Mink. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Learn all about otters and mink. Includes an all-ages pop-up educational exhibit and a children’s otter craft. A park educator will answer questions and guide participants through the exhibit’s features. Walk-in. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14.
Critter Tales: Winter at the Bird Feeder. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. For ages 3-5 with an adult. Children will hear a story, spend time watching birds at the feeders and create a natural bird feeder to take home. Register/pay online or call by Dec. 16. 10-11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 18. $5.
Forest Babies. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. For ages 1-3. Join your child for a simple nature craft or activity to take home. The program includes some outdoor nature time, so everyone should dress for the weather. Register/pay online or by phone by Jan. 5. Only registered children can attend. No walk-ins. No pets. 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7. $5.
LECTURES & PRESENTATIONS
Throwback Thursday: Bears Den. Bears Den Cabin, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown. 330-330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Mill Creek Park’s Wall Garden, lake dams and curbing are made of sandstone and the majority of it came from the Bears Den area. The surrounding area has a rich history of quarrying operations. A park educator will share the history, geology and stories of the area. Registration required. Register/pay online or call by Dec. 16. No walk-ins. For adults and children 12 and older. 6:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 18. $5.
Winter Talks – Oak Hill Cemetery, a Virtual Tour. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Traci Manning, curator of education at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, will share the history of Oak Hill Cemetery in an image-guided virtual tour. The program will explore several families and individuals interred at the cemetery and feature a guide to cemetery and funerary symbols, artwork, monuments and statues. Register/pay by Jan. 15. For ages 16 and older. 10-11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 17. $5.
Winter Talks – Bigfoot – Do You Believe? Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Join local Bigfoot enthusiast Amy Bue and members of her investigative team as they share their Bigfoot experiences. Learn where Ohio ranks in the number of sightings by state and how many sightings there have been in Mahoning County. Bring your own Bigfoot stories to share. For ages 16 and older. Register/pay online or call by Jan. 15. 1-2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 17. $5.
Throwback Thursday: Birch Hill Cabin & Lily Pond. Birch Hill Cabin, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown. 330-330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Did you know that Volney Rogers once stayed in a cabin on the property of Birch Hill Cabin? Or that the Lily Pond was the first artificial body of water in Mill Creek Park? Join a park educator to learn about the history and stories of the Birch Hill area. Registration required. Register/pay by Jan. 20. No walk-ins. No pets. 6:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 22. $5.
Winter Talks – Once Upon a Bedrock: The Story Beneath Mill Creek Park. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Geologist and MetroParks educator Diana Alexander will lead an immersive geological journey through Mill Creek Park. Explore the formation of the region and get hands-on experience with local rock types. Travel back 320 million years to uncover the geologic story of Mill Creek Park. Discover how ancient bedrock formed, how Ice Age glaciers shaped the terrain, and how these powerful forces created the park’s landscape. Register/pay by Jan. 22. For 16 years and older. 10-11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 24. $5.
Winter Talks – If These Walls Could Talk: Stories of Ford Nature Center. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Park educator Diana Alexander will discuss the history and lore of Ford Nature Center. How did this historic home become the heart of the Education Department? Alexander will share the layers and hidden tales the Nature Center. Coffee and hot chocolate will be provided. Register/pay by Jan. 22. Age 16 and older. 1-2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 24. $5.
Winter Talks – Buzzing with Life: Creating Pollinator-friendly Spaces. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Alyson Wakeen of Cambium will teach how to cultivate a habitat for important pollinators. Ages 16 and older. Register/pay by Jan. 29. 10-11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 31. $5.
Winter Talks – Backyard Birds: Windows Into the Wild. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Park educator Emily Greve will discuss the journeys, behavior and ecology of birds. For ages 16 and older. Register/pay by Jan. 29. 1-2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31. $5.
OTHER
T’ai Chi Step One in the Gardens. Radius Program Classroom, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7116, extension 230. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Marie Lew will lead warm-ups, breathing exercises and selected movements in the classic Chen T’ai Chi form. Register online or call. Walk-ins welcome. Noon-1 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7-Dec. 16. $12/class.
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