MetroParks to offer walks, hikes, nature explorations | June activities include a full-moon hike, bird watches and a program on the geology of Mill Creek Park.
Bird walks
Coffee With the Birds. Education Classroom A, Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Identify birds by their feathers. Includes guided birdwatching at the feeders at the Nature Center. Register/pay by May 30 online or call. No walk-ins. For ages 12 and older. 8:30-9:30 a.m., Sunday, June 1. $5.
Birding the Sanctuary. Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, Mill Creek Metroparks, 2650 W. Calla Road, Canfield 44406. Register by July 17, online or call 330-740-7107, extension 129. Space limited. Boots required. Moderate, 1.25-mile hike. 8-9:30 a.m., Saturday, July 19.
Birding the Sanctuary. Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, Mill Creek Metroparks, 2650 W. Calla Road, Canfield 44406. Register by Aug. 14, online or call 330-740-7107, extension 129. Moderate. 1.25 mile hike. 8-9:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 16.
Hikes & nature walks
Recreational Hike. West Newport Boat Launch, West Newport Drive, Mill Creek MetroParks, Boardman 44512. 330-740-7107. www.mil…. Call Wick Recreation Area for details. 9 a.m., Wednesday, June 11.
June Full Moon Hike – Strawberry Moon. Vickers Nature Preserve, Mill Creek MetroParks, 10334 W. Akron-Canfield Road, Canfield 44406. www.mil…. 330-740-7107, extension 129. Park staff will lead a moonlit evening hike through Vickers Nature Preserve during the Strawberry Moon. In case of inclement weather, an alternative date will be provided. For ages 12 and older. Hikes is 2 miles and moderately difficult. Register/pay by June 9. No walk-ins. No pets. 8:30-10 p.m., Wednesday, June 11. $3.
Wildflower Wander. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, extension 129. www.mil…. Ohio-certified volunteer naturalist Gary Davenport and a MetroParks educator will lead a casual evening hike to see what wildflowers and other plants are growing around the Ford Nature Center. Hike is approximately 1-1.5 miles on uneven terrain. Registration required. Register/pay by June 11. No walk-ins. No pets. $3. 6-7 p.m., Friday, June 13.
Mushroom Meander. Sawmill Creek Preserve, S. Turner Road, Canfield 44406. Register/pay by June 12, online or call 330-740-710, extension 129. Led by Ohio-certified volunteer naturalist Gary Davenport and a MetroParks educator. See what fungi are in season. Hike may be up to 1.5 miles with uneven and wet terrain. Wear water-resistant footwear. No restrooms. No walk-ins. No pets. 10 a.m., Saturday, June 14. $3.
Evening Otter Walk & Talk. Meets at Lanterman’s Mill, Mill Creek MetroParks, East Park Drive, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Take a hike with a MetroParks educator to visit an otter habitat. Hike is moderately difficult. Wear proper boots and dress for the weather. Register by June 15, online or call. No walk-ins. No pets. 7-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 17.
Park Wanderings. Oak Grove Picnic Area parking lot, Mill Creek MetroParks, East Park Drive, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Park educator Miss Lynn will lead a walk in the Oak Grove Picnic Area and the East Park Hike and Bike Trail. An easy, half-mile walk on a paved surface. Register/pay by June 18. No walk-ins. No pets. 9-10 a.m., Friday, June 20. $5.
Walk with a Geologist: Hitchcock Woods. Meets at the Hitchcock Woods parking lot, 8264-8266 Hitchcock Road, Boardman 44512. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Explore the geology and natural beauty of Hitchcock Woods with a park educator. Includes views of Saw Mill Creek, Mill Creek and the geology of the area. Hike is approximately 1 mile. Dress for the weather. Hiking boots are recommended. No restrooms on site. Register by June 19. No pets. 2-3:30 p.m., Saturday, June 21.
Accessible Park Safari: East Golf Hike & Bike Trail. Mill Creek MetroParks, Boardman 44512. 330-740-7107, extension 129. www.mil…. For 16 years and older. Features a casual, two-hour eco-adventure with a park educator. The trail is flat, paved and accessible by wheelchairs and walkers. No pets. Occurs rain or shine. Register by June 28. 9-11 a.m., Monday, June 30.
Recreational Hike: West Channel and Islands Trail. Meets at the Newport Wetlands parking lot, Mill Creek Metroparks, W. Newport Drive, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, extension 129. Call Wick Recreation Area for details. 9 a.m., Wednesday, July 9.
Park Wanderings. Scholl Recreation Area parking lot, Mill Creek MetroParks, Youngstown. 330-740-7107, extension 129. www.mil…. Park educator Miss Lynn will lead a walk at Scholl Recreation Area, off Bears Den Road. Dress for the weather. Register/pay by July 16, online or call. No walk-ins. No pets. 9-10 a.m., Friday, July 18. $5.
Recreational Hike: East Golf Hike & Bike Trail. Meet at the West Golf Drive Overflow parking lot, Mill Creek Metroparks, Boardman 44512. 330-740-7107, extension 129. Call Wick Recreation Area for more details. 9 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 6.
Park Wanderings. Chestnut Hill Pavilion, Chestnut Hill Drive (accessible from Bears Den Drive or Canfield Road), Mill Creek Metroparks, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107, extension 129. Park educator Miss Lynn will lead a walk from Chestnut Hill Pavilion. Dress for the weather. Register/pay by Aug. 13. No walk-ins. No pets. 9-10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 15. $5.
Nature programs
Rock the Park – a Mill Creek Park Geology Trolley Tour & Hike. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Features a unique geological view of Mill Creek Park. The group will stop at various locations to see features up close. Also includes a hike along Cascade Falls and Witch’s Den. The hike a half mile and moderately difficult with steps and steep rocks. Wear hiking shoes. Register/pay by June 5. No walk-ins, no pets. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, June 7. $10 adult resident, $12 adult nonresident; $7 seniors/youth resident, $9 seniors/youth nonresident.
Rock the Park – a Geological Exploration of Mill Creek Park. Meets at Fellows Riverside Gardens parking lot, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Explore the formation of Mill Creek Park throughout geologic time. Where possible, the group will hop off to investigate geologic features. Register/pay by June 19. 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, June 21. $10, adult resident; $12, adult nonresident; $7 seniors/youth resident, $9 senior/youth nonresident.
Traveling Naturalist. Wick Recreation Area, Mill Creek MetroParks, 1861 McCollum Road, Youngstown 44509. 330-740-77107, extension 129. www.mil…. All are welcome to stop by and chat. Weather-dependent activity. Noon-3 p.m., Saturday, June 21.
Rock the Park – a Geological Exploration of Mill Creek Park. Meets at Fellows Riverside Gardens parking lot, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Explore the formation of Mill Creek Park throughout geologic time. Where possible, the group will hop off to investigate geologic features. Register/pay July 8. 6-8 p.m., Thursday, July 10. $10, adult resident; $12, adult nonresident; $7 seniors/youth resident, $9 senior/youth nonresident.
Rock the Park – a Geological Exploration of Mill Creek Park. Meets at Fellows Riverside Gardens parking lot, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. www.mil…. Explore the formation of Mill Creek Park throughout geologic time. Where possible, the group will hop off to investigate geologic features. Register/pay by Aug. 5. 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 7. $10, adult resident; $12, adult nonresident; $7 seniors/youth resident, $9 senior/youth nonresident.
Rock the Park – a Geological Exploration of Mill Creek Park. Meets at Fellows Riverside Gardens parking lot, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7107, extension 129. www.mil…. Explore the formation of Mill Creek Park throughout geologic time. Where possible, the group will hop off to investigate geologic features. Register/pay by Aug. 21. 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Aug. 23. $10, adult resident; $12, adult nonresident; $7 seniors/youth resident, $9 senior/youth nonresident.
Metro Mutts
MetroMutts: Newport Wetlands Hike. Newport Wetlands parking lot, West Newport Drive, Mill Creek MetroParks, Boardman 44512. 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Includes a moderate, 2-mile hike along the shade-covered West Channel and Islands Trail. Register/pay online or call 330-740-7107, ext. 129. Members free, non-members $10. Call for details. Noon-1 p.m., Saturday, July 19.
Other
An Evening in Nature. Ford Nature Education Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, 44511. 330-740-7107, extension 129. www.mil…. Led by a park educator. Features a fire pit and an optional stroll around the Ford Nature Center grounds. Learn to identify the sights and sounds of an evening in nature. Bring your own lawn chair. Registration required. Register online by June 18. No walk-ins, no pets. 8-9:30 p.m., Friday, June 20.
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