Family Guide to Mill Creek Park: Summer Edition

Family Guide to Mill Creek Park: Summer Edition

Spanning over 4,500 acres and filled with winding trails, calm lakes and sprawling playgrounds, Mill Creek MetroParks offers ample opportunities for families to explore. Continue reading for more details on a variety of family-friendly activities at Mill Creek.

Family-Friendly Hike and Bike Trails

father son hikingBetween navigating strollers and managing young kids, hiking and biking trips can become tricky if you don’t pick a trail that suits your family best. Luckily, there are plenty of easy to moderate trails in Mill Creek for families to explore, without the added hassle of steep inclines or rocky terrain. View the Mill Creek Park Trail Guide for more information.

  • MetroParks Bikeway: 11-mile paved trail with parking available at the MetroParks Farm and Mahoning Ave. and Kirk Road trailheads
  • East Cohasset Hike & Bike Trail: 1.5-mile asphalt trail closed to motorized traffic
  • Slippery Rock Trail: short 0.4-mile trail with easy terrain and steps near Old Furnace Rd.
  • Lily Pond Circle Trail: a 0.25 mile loop with easy, flat terrain around the scenic Lily Pond

 

Family Fun Golf Nights

Every Friday and Saturday night in the summer, Mill Creek Golf Course is offering families a special opportunity to play a discounted round of golf! The Family Fun Golf Night special is $25/family of four and includes two golf carts and green fees for the group. You can call 330-740-7112 for tee times or book online at millcreekmetroparks.org.

 

kayakingBoating Opportunities

There are beautiful lakes in Mill Creek waiting to be explored by boat, kayak or canoe! While Mill Creek’s boathouses are closed until August 31, 2020, families are still invited to bring their own boats, kayaks and canoes that comply with the MetroParks regulations. Boat, fish or simply explore 44 acres at Lake Glacier or over 60 acres of open water and 40 acres of wetlands at Lake Newport.

 

Search for Wildlife

With miles of trails and acres of wetlands, Mill Creek MetroParks offers great opportunities for kids and adults alike to view wildlife. Grab your binoculars and enjoy a fun family day of nature exploration at Mill Creek.

  • Newport Wetlands: located at the southern end of Lake Newport; watch for waterfowl, songbirds, herons, muskrat and beavers
  • Mill Creek Preserve: 44-acre wetland restoration area that attracts birds, butterflies, dragonflies (especially in the summer months) and crayfish
  • Vickers Nature Preserve: look for ducks, herons and river otters
  • Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary: over 200 documented bird species have been observed here; look for waterfowl, shorebirds, herons, egrets, songbirds and bald eagles

 

Visit a Playgroundplayground

Per the Governor’s guidelines, Mill Creek reopened their outdoor playgrounds on June 10, 2020. Safety guidelines are posted at each playground site for visitors to follow. You’ll find playgrounds in the following areas:

  • Wick Recreation Area (Note: Wet Playground is closed through August 31, 2020)
  • Scholl Pavilion
  • Stitt Pavilion
  • Chestnut Hill Pavilion
  • Volney Rogers Field
  • Lower Bears Den Picnic Area
  • Yellow Creek Park

                                          

Wick Recreation Area

The 65-acre Wick Recreation Area, located in Mill Creek, is home to a variety of courts, fields and children’s play areas. Right now, the area’s par-3 golf course, baseball fields, softball fields, tennis courts and playgrounds are all open for families to use. The football fields, volleyball courts, dek hockey rink and wet playground are closed through August 31, 2020.

 

Physical Distancing Guidelines

Just like other public facilities, Mill Creek MetroParks encourages visitors to follow their COVID-19 guidelines for safe park use.

  • Do not use parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms
  • Follow the CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to visiting parks or trails
  • Be prepared for limited access to public restrooms or water fountains
  • Observe the CDC’s minimum recommended physical distancing of six feet from other persons at all times

For more details and the latest updates on Mill Creek’s facility closures, visit their COVID-19 updates page.

 

There are so many ways for families to have fun at Mill Creek MetroParks! For more family-friendly spots in the Youngstown area, visit our Facebook page or our website.