MILL CREEK METROPARKS July calendar

Activities slated next month at Mill Creek MetroParks:

July 1: 1-4 p.m. Canada Day Kayak. On our neighbor’s national holiday, we’ll paddle up the Mahoning River and explore a tributary named Eagle Creek. Not for first-time kayakers. Participants must be at least 18 years old. Meet at Canoe City Park, on North Leavitt Road in Leavittsburg. Call (330) 740-7107 for map and details. Kayakers of all skill levels are invited to join these escorted trips. Single and tandem kayaks are available. Ages 11-15 must share a tandem kayak with an adult; ages 16-17 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants will be required to complete a waiver. Reservations must be made 36 hours before the program. Call (330) 740-7107 for information. Fee: $12/person R, $15/person NR; second person in tandem kayak half-price.

July 1: 1-4 p.m. Busy, Busy Bee. MetroParks Farm. Learn about the importance of bees from members of the Columbiana-Mahoning Beekeepers. See equipment related to beekeeping and make a “honey” of a craft to take home.

July 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31: 8:30–10 a.m. (beginner level) and 5:30–7 p.m. Yoga at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Students of all levels will learn a blend of yoga styles amid the restorative power of nature. Begin each class with an energizing walk in the Gardens with instructor Heidi Suraci. Bring a mat, small blanket and bottled water. Call (330) 740-7116 for information. Fee: $10 per class.

July 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31: 4-5 p.m. Teen Yoga at Fellows Riverside Gardens. The Family Garden is the perfect environment to have fun and gain the physical and mental benefits of yoga taught by Heidi Suraci. Teens will develop positive self-esteem while building strength and flexibility. Bring a mat, small blanket and bottled water. Call (330) 740-7116 for information. Fee: $10 per class.

July 5, 12, 19 & 26: 10 a.m. MetroParks Farm Family Tours. Enjoy a guided wagon tour of the MetroParks Farm. The playroom and the animal barns will be open. Tour is about 1 hour. Reservations are recommended.

July 5, 12, 19 & 26: 8:30–10 a.m. and 5:30–7 p.m. (beginner level). Yoga at Fellows Riverside Gardens. (See July 3).

July 5, 19 & 26: 11 a.m.-noon. Children’s Yoga at Fellows Riverside Gardens. This playful class taught by Heidi Suraci teaches children ages 6 years and older yoga postures to improve balance and coordination. Each class will end with a relaxation session and a story to encourage creativity and self-esteem. Bring a mat, small blanket and bottled water. Call (330) 740-7116 for information. Fee: $10 per class.

July 7: 9:30 a.m. McGladrey Team Golf Championship. Three-person best ball. Call (330) 740-7112 for details. Fee: $55.

July 7: 10 a.m.-noon or 1-3 p.m. Anti-Firecracker Kayak. For a quiet respite from the 4th of July celebrations, join us for this serene excursion on Lake Newport. Meet at East Newport Boat Launch. (see July 1).

July 7: Read Richard Louv’s “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder” and join this naturalist-led discussion. Meet at Ford Nature Center.

July 7, 14, 21 & 28: 6 p.m. Family Fun Nights Golf. For children ages 7–18 and their parents. PGA Professionals will conduct short instructional seminars to start the evenings followed by on-course play. Call the (330) 740-7112 to register. Fee includes golf, cart, refreshments and prizes. Fee: $10 per family.

July 8 & 29: 1-4 p.m. Happy Trails. MetroParks Farm. Take a tour of the MetroParks Farm and see how the crops are progressing. Wagon leaves every hour beginning at 1:30 p.m.

July 8: 2 p.m. Ed Galaida: Mill Creek Park’s First Historian. In 1941, Galaida wrote the first history of Mill Creek Park at its half-century mark. His friend, naturalist emeritus Bill Whitehouse, will reflect on Galaida’s contributions through readings and personal memories. Meet at Ford Nature Center. Moderate difficulty, 2 miles.

July 10 & 11: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Park Pals (for children entering grades 1-3). Learn about Mill Creek Park and its plants and animals. The days will be filled with hikes, crafts, games and other fun activities. Registration and fee are due at Ford Nature Center by Tuesday. Fee: $30 R, $35 NR.

July 10 & 12: 10 a.m.-noon. Beginner Tennis. Children ages 6–12 will learn the fundamentals of tennis with high school coach Joanne Gardner. Call (330) 740-7106 by July 6 to register for these free lessons. Held at Yellow Creek Park, Struthers.

July 10: 7 p.m. Mahoning Valley Button Box Club Concert (polkas and waltzes), Yellow Creek Park. Lawn seating.

July 11: 9 a.m. Health & Wellness Walk. Meet at Golf Course overflow parking lot off West Golf Drive. Easy rating, 1 or 3 miles.

July 11: 5:30-8 p.m. Botanical Pottery: Birdbath. Make a birdbath of your own unique design for your garden. Lynn Cardwell will assist students in constructing a birdbath using leaves for patterns. The work will be glazed, fired and ready to take home. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $39 ($30 FFRG members).

July 12: 9 a.m.-noon. Kids Grow: Mini Camp. It’s a “garden-to-table” fun fair where kids ages 6–12 experience a morning of fun and hands-on activities. Lynn Porch from Thymely Events and Laurie Taylor from Edible Arrangements will share creative ways to play with your food. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $8 R, $11 NR.

July 12: 10, 10:45 or 11:30 a.m. Tales for Twos: Is That a Hawk I See? Two-year-olds and their adult companions will learn about these beautiful birds of prey through a story, creative role-playing games and outdoor hawk watching. Call (330) 740-7107 to register. (See July 10).

July 13: 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. Preschool Nature Hour: Lots of Spots. What is red with black spots? Children ages 3-5 and their favorite adults will find out as they enjoy activities featuring Ohio’s official insect — the ladybug. Preregister at Ford Nature Center. Fee: $2 R, $3 NR. (See July 10).

July 14: 10 a.m. Preschool Nature Hour: Lots of Spots. (See July 13).

July 14: 2 p.m. Tree Trail Trivia. Meet at Lake Glacier Boating Center parking lot. Moderate difficulty with hills and tricky footing, 2 miles.

July 15: noon-4 p.m. Bridal Fair — A Garden Wedding. Visit Fellows Riverside Gardens and the Davis Center to experience this beautiful wedding and reception venue fully decorated for that special day. Meet area bridal vendors and discover ideas for your event. Register for door prizes and be a guest at the 3 p.m. Wedding Fashion Show.

July 15: 1-3:30 p.m. Ice Cream Social Kayak. Burn some calories with a paddle on Lake Newport and then return to enjoy a sweet frozen feast to celebrate National Ice Cream Day. Meet at East Newport Boat Launch. (See July 1).

July 16-17: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Ag Camp: Down on the Farm (for children entering Grades 1–4). A Tropical Paradise will set the theme for this two-day camp filled with songs, fun, crafts, and sun. Call (330) 533-7572 for registration forms. Fee: $25.

July 17: 6 p.m. Health & Wellness Walk. Meet at Yellow Creek Park office. Moderate difficulty with hills and steps, 1, 2 or 3 miles.

July 17: 11 a.m.-noon or 1-2 p.m. Dinosaur Wind Sock. Preschoolers with adults will explore the Family Garden to discover plants from the time the dinosaurs roamed the earth. Each child will make a dinosaur windsock to take home after enjoying a story and snack. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $4 R, $6 NR. (See July 10).

July 18-19: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Park Explorers (for children entering Grades 4-6). Explore the diversity of Mill Creek Park. Learn about the Park’s history through hikes, games, crafts, and more. Registration and fee are due at (330) 740-7107 by July 3. Fee: $30 R, $35 NR.

July 19: 10 a.m.-noon. Morning Kayak. Enjoy the beauty of Lake Newport on this morning kayak. Meet at East Newport Boat Launch. (See July 1).

July 19: 6:30-9 p.m. The Culinary Garden: Picnic with Tropical Style. Enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the Gardens’ Beeghly Terrace while watching Victor and Heidi Suraci prepare and grill a delicious supper with a tropical theme. Savor the tastes of fresh local produce and learn tips on presentation. Take home the recipes. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $35 ($28 FFRG members).

July 20: 8:30-10 a.m. Breakfast Botany. Start your morning with a brisk walk in the Gardens. Return to the Garden Cafe to enjoy a light breakfast and learn more about summer plants. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $6 R, $8 NR.

July 21: 10 a.m. Join us as we bicycle from Austintown to Canfield and back. Helmets are required. Meet at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at Kirk Road. Moderate difficulty, 8 miles.

July 21: 11 a.m.-noon. Dinosaur Wind Sock. (See July 17).

July 21: 1:30-3 p.m. Prehistoric Plant Fossils. Children ages 6 and up with their adult companions will learn about the plants that grew during the age of the dinosaurs. Each child will make clay plant fossils that will be fired in a kiln and ready to be picked up Aug. 4. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $9 R, $12 NR. (See July 10).

July 21: 3-6 p.m. Summertime Jubilee. Bring your family for an afternoon of old-fashioned fun at the MetroParks Farm. Enjoy yard games, a tractor sand box, bean snapping, a watermelon contest, wagon rides and homemade ice cream.

July 22: 9-11 a.m. Restoration Yoga. Heighten your awareness and self-healing through specialized breathing techniques and postures. This state of deep relaxation will create an atmosphere perfect for meditation and journaling. Dress comfortably and bring your yoga mat and a favorite quote. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $20.

July 22: 10 a.m.-noon. Botany by Boat. Beat the heat and discover the variety of flora specific to the wetland area. Meet at East Newport Boat Launch. (See July 1).

July 22: noon-2 p.m. Meditation in Movement. Learn to focus on inner strengths through simple, graceful movements with instructor Bailey in the Tara Dance. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $10.

July 22: 1:30, 2:30 & 3:30 p.m. MetroParks Farm. Watch an educational video and learn how milk gets from the cow to you. To celebrate National Ice Cream Month, we’ll make a tasty treat in a bag. Make a craft to take home.

July 22: 2-3:30 p.m. Guided Tour of Fellows Riverside Gardens. Enjoy a leisurely walk in Fellows Riverside Gardens. A guide will point out highlights and share anecdotes and history. Sign in at the information desk.

July 23: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Ag Camp: Hawaiian Luau (for children entering Grades 5–6). Learn the mysteries of agriculture from faraway islands to local farms. Call the (330) 533-7572 for registration forms. Fee: $15.

July 25: 9 a.m. Health & Wellness Walk. Meet at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at MetroParks Farm. Moderate difficulty, 2 or 4 miles.

July 25: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Learn how to grow, harvest, braid and cook with garlic. Enjoy a garlic snack and receive recipes to take home along with your braided garlic. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $17 R, $22 NR.

July 25 & 26: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Junior Naturalists (for children entering Grades 5-7). Find out in Mill Creek Park through hikes, activities and more. Registration and fee are due at (330) 740-7107 by July 11. Fee: $30 R, $35 NR.

July 26 & 27: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Kinder Kritters (for children entering Kindergarten). Yellow Creek Lodge, Struthers. Fun activities are planned for indoors and outdoors along with a story time and crafts. Campers will go on short walks to learn about nature. Registration and fee are due at Ford Nature Center by July 12. Fee: $25 R, $30 NR.

July 27: 6 p.m. Savor the delicious cuisine of Italy and sip regional wines. Celebrate Taste of Tuscany with the Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens at this annual fundraiser. Call (330) 740-7116 for reservations. Fee: $75.

July 28: 2 p.m. In July 1892, Volney Rogers hired George Streator to complete a plant survey of the newly established Mill Creek Park. We’ll compare Streator’s findings with what grows here today. Meet at Lanterman’s Mill parking lot. Moderate difficulty with hills and steps, 1.5 miles.

July 29: 9 a.m.-noon. Sunfest. Wick Recreation Area. Test your golf skills in the closest-to-the-pin golf challenge at the Par 3 Golf Course. Nine chances to win a prize. Fee: $5.

11 a.m. Sunfest Hike. Before the crowds of SunFest arrive, we’ll explore the Wick Recreation Area. Meet at the kiosk near Par 3. Easy rating, 1 mile.

1– 4 p.m. Sand Sculpture Competition. Sculpt a one-ton pile of sand into a work of art. Special age category for children. Artist Laurie Arntz-Tournoux will give tips throughout the competition. Reserve your sand canvas by calling (330) 740-7107. Fee: $5.

July 31: 6 p.m. Health & Wellness Walk. Meet at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at Kirk Road. Moderate difficulty, 2 or 4 miles.

EXHIBITS

Fellows Riverside Gardens

Davis Education & Visitor Center

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Through July 29, Weller Gallery

Contemporary botanical watercolors painted by Japanese artists. The exhibit is on loan from the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation in Pittsburgh.

Through August, Melnick Museum

Mill Creek Park’s Stone Bridges are highlighted in this exhibit.