By Natalie Lasky
Mill Creek MetroParks has been a part of the Youngstown community since 1891. The park has been utilized by all types of occupations, but renovations are right around the bend.
Jamie Yohman, community engagement director of the park, said the West Newport Trail closure will go from the West Newport Wetlands parking lot to the Newport Dam for approximately 45 days.
“We are doing a restoration and a new portrayal, and it is really a trail rehabilitation project, and that is earthwork installation of stormwater conduit installation of aggregate trail surface and some other miscellaneous items, and it is going to be improved upon from the Lake Newport wetlands parking lot to the Lake Newport Dam,” Yohman said.
The cost of the repairs is projected to be around $175,000 for replacement of the sewage and stormwater conduit, along with improving the trail surface, the trail will be widened and will have a layer of aggregate material, like gravel, put down.
The park offers a number of trails for all levels of athletics. The park is also utilized by those taking a stroll and those who like to challenge themselves to rough terrain and cross country races.
The trail’s renovations have a link to Youngstown State University through the Beeghly family, who donated the money after noticing the trail needed work done. Jeff Hedrich, the president and lead brand strategist for the Prodigal Company, explained the Beeghly family’s personal connection to the park.
“I was at a Mill Creek luncheon where they celebrated people helping the park and was one of the members of the Beeghly family which a lot of youngsters know of course. They, I think, gave a $1.5 million contribution to redo this trail,” Hedrich said.
Hedrich said he likes to use the trails at least three to four times a week and every time he has family come from out of town, they always talk about how beautiful the park is.
Lydia Noble, a sophomore engineering major at YSU, said she loves to spend her free time at the park. Over the years, she said she has gained a lot of great memories at the park and her favorite part of the park is the trails.
Noble also said she is excited for the park to be upgrading its trails as she felt the trails have needed repairs for some time.
“I mean, hearing that the trail closure is for maintenance to the park, I am generally happy about that. I am glad to see that the park is being serviced the way that it needs to be,” Noble said.For more information about Mill Creek MetroParks closures or upcoming events, go to its website.
