YOUNGSTOWN Rain disrupts recreation in Mill Creek Park

Three men were found trying to kayak in the rushing creek Saturday morning.
By IAN HILL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mill Creek Park and the rest of the Mahoning Valley should get a chance to dry off today after a week of heavy rains.
Today's forecast called for partly cloudy skies and only a 30 percent chance of rain.
About 2.5 inches of rain has fallen in the area so far this month, nearly twice the normal amount.
About three-quarters of an inch of rain fell Thursday afternoon.
Recreation disrupted
Some of it has created new water hazards on Mill Creek Park's golf courses, which were closed Thursday but expected to reopen as soon as the weather allows.
The rain also has caused the park's two lakes to swell about 18 inches normal levels.
Recreation director Tom Bresko said that though the creek and the lakes aren't near flood stage, it is one of the highest levels he's seen.
Bresko has worked for the park district 28 years.
Boating concessions at Lake Glacier and Lake Newport were closed Wednesday and Thursday after the lakes rose over the docks, and several baseball games have been canceled.
The rain also has increased the dangers faced by parkgoers who break park rules by swimming or using private boats in the lakes and creek, Bresko said.
On Saturday, park police found three men using kayaks in the creek. Police said the men were attracted to the creek by the prospect of an adventure in the rushing water.
The men were ordered out and warned not to use kayaks in the park in the future.
Bresko stressed that parkgoers should stay on the park's hiking trails and away from the creek.
Attendance stable
Despite the weather, park attendance hasn't decreased.
Bresko said the Lake Newport boat concession has increased usage since the concession began offering kayak tours, and people are not canceling pavilion rentals.
"They just make the best of a bad situation," he said.
Bresko said there's one positive side effect to the rain: Lanterman Falls is even more impressive as a result of the increased water flow in the creek.
hill@vindy.com