Winter Fun: Guided Hikes & Nature Walks at Mill Creek MetroParks. Learn and explore in the outdoors. Hikes for all skill levels. Find activities for children and families.
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.
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.
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.
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.
WALKS: CHILDREN & FAMILIES
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.
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.
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