MetroParks schedules hikes, walks, nature education. Activities include birding events, nature-education strolls and a full-moon hike.
Hikes & Nature Walks
Bird walks & birds
Coffee With the Birds: Eggs. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Ages 10 and older. Learn about bird eggs. The program is followed by guided birdwatching at the feeders outside the Ford Nature Center. Register/pay by June 5. Online or call. No walk-ins. 8:30-9:30 a.m., Sunday, June 7. $5.
Hike with a Naturalist: Bald Eagles. George L. Fordyce Park (formerly Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary). 2650 W. Calla Road, Canfield 44406. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. A park educator will lead on an exploration of Fordyce Park. The focus species for the day will be bald eagles. Difficulty: moderate, 2-mile hike with possible muddy terrain. Ages 10 and older. Register by June 14, online or call. Rain or shine. No walk-ins. No pets. 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, June 16.
Birding the George L. Fordyce Park. George L. Fordyce Park (formerly Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary). 2650 W. Calla Road, Canfield 44406. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Jeff Harvey leads the early morning hike. Space limited. Boots required. Moderate, 1.25 mile hike. For ages 8 and older. Register by July 16, online or call. 8-9:30 a.m., Saturday, July 18.
Birding the George L. Fordyce Park. George L. Fordyce Park (formerly Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary). 2650 W. Calla Road, Canfield 44406. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Jeff Harvey will lead the early morning birding hike. Space limited. Boots required. Hike is moderate, 1.25 miles. For ages 8 and older. Register by Aug. 13, online or call. 8-9:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 15.
Hikes & nature walks
Park Wanderings. Ford Nature Education Center parking lot, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Park educator Miss Lynn leads a walk at the Ford Nature Center. Dress for the weather. Register/pay by June 24, online or call. No walk-ins. No pets. 9-10 a.m., Friday, June 26. $5.
June Full Moon Hike – Strawberry Moon. Newport Wetlands parking lot, Newport Wetlands, Mill Creek MetroParks, Boardman 44512. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Park staff will lead a moon-lit evening hike along Mill Creek via the Channel Islands Trail. The hike wraps with the moonrise over the Lake Newport Wetlands. Ages 12 and older. Register/pay by June 27. No walk-ins. No pets. 8-10 p.m., Monday, June 29. $5.
Golden Hour Stroll. Collier Preserve parking lot, Mill Creek Metroparks, 2823 W. Western Reserve Road Canfield 44406. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Wander the paths of Collier Preserve during sunset’s golden hour while learning about the site’s history. Includes a 1.5-2-mile stroll through the preserve (with uneven grassy trails). Bring a camera or smartphone. Register by June 28, online or call. No walk-ins. No pets. 8-9 p.m., Tuesday, June 30.
Park Wanderings. Scholl Recreation Area parking lot, Bears Den Road, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Educator Miss Lynn will lead a leisurely stroll at different Park locations. This month, the group visits the Scholl Recreation Area. Dress for the weather. Register/pay by July 22, online or call. No walk-ins. No pets. 9-10 a.m., Friday, July 24. $5.
Park Wanderings. Outdoor Concourse, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Park educator Miss Lynn will lead a walk in Fellows Riverside Gardens. Dress for the weather. Register/pay by Aug. 19, online or call. No walk-ins. No pets. 9-10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 21. $5.
Nature education
Science Class: Stream Macroinvertebrates. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Adult class covers macroinvertebrates and what they can reveal about stream health. Register/pay by June 5. Online or call. No walk-ins, no pets. Noon-2 p.m., Sunday, June 7. $5.
Ford Nature Center Family Friday. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. An open-air event. Features a number of summertime activities, including a wildlife-touch table, hands-on geology, trolley rides, nature crafts, hikes, hot-dog roasting and a showing of the documentary “Ohio: Wild at Heart.” Notice: trolley is not accessible for people with mobility limitations. 6:30-10 p.m., Friday, June 12.
America 250: MCMP – Ohio Outdoors: Exploring Natural Resources. Meets at the Ford Nature Education Center parking lot, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a guided walk led by a park educator as the group explores the area’s history through Ohio’s monthly America 250 theme. A moderate 2-3-mile hike follows natural terrain and includes steps and slopes. Register by June 12, online or call. No walk-ins. No pets. Noon-2 p.m., Sunday, June 14.
Spore & Explore. Collier Preserve parking lot. Mill Creek Metroparks, 2823 W. Western Reserve Road Canfield 44406. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Park educators and Ohio-certified volunteer naturalist Gary Davenport will share information about mushrooms, their ecological roles, how to identify them and their cultural importance. Includes a walk up to 1-2 miles on varying surfaces. Register by June 18, online or call. No walk-ins. No pets. 10:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, June 20.
Stream Stomp (ages 6 and older). Lily Pond parking lot, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. The group will visit Bear Creek in a search for stream invertebrates. The program explains what these organisms can indicate about stream health. Ages 6 and older. Register by June 19, online or call. No walk-ins. No pets. 1-2:30 p.m., Sunday, June 21.
Traveling Naturalist: Lily Pond. Lily Pond Drive, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown 44509. A park educator will be to hand to answer wildlife questions. All are invited to stop by to chat. Call 330-740-7107, ext. 129 for details. 4-6 p.m., Sunday, June 21.
Plants & Pathways. Collier Preserve parking lot, Mill Creek Metroparks, 2823 W. Western Reserve Road Canfield 44406. Register by June 24, online or call 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Join park educators and Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Gary Davenport to learn about the plants of Mill Creek MetroParks, their ecological roles and how to identify them. Walk is 1-2 miles on uneven surfaces. No walk-ins. No pets. 6-7:30 p.m., Friday, June 26.
Bugs Up Close and Personal with “The Bugman” Mark Berman. Education Classroom A, Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. For children and adults. This private show will feature Mark Berman’s (“The Bugman”) original up-close videos and live bug demonstrations. Seating is limited. Registration is required. Register/pay by July 16 online or call. 10 a.m., Saturday, July 18. $15 per child/per adult.
Bug Day. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.millcreekmetroparks.org. “Bug Day” features live bug exhibits and an appearance by Mark Berman (“The Bugman”) of Columbus. Other activities include gentle bug catchings and releases, bug crafts, a bug tattoo station, and the return of the “Bad Bug” Forest Walk. Children who complete all of the “Bug Day” activities will earn a “Masters of Bugology” certificate. Free parking will be available at Ford Nature Center and Pioneer Pavilion. No registration required. Access notice: the trolley may not be accessible for people with mobility limitations. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, July 18.
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