Smith Twp., Mill Creek Park to hook up for event Saturday

By Denise Dick

SMITH — In an effort to reach out to taxpayers in Mahoning County’s western communities, Mill Creek Park plans a joint event with the township.

David Imbrogno, executive director of Mill Creek MetroParks, said one of his goals when he began the job was to engage people in the county’s western areas in park activities.

“We don’t have a physical presence in the western part of the county,” he said. “But we figured if we can’t have a physical presence, at least we can have a programmatic presence.”

A community day begins at 4 p.m. Aug. 16 with nature hikes and displays.

At 6 p.m., the blue grass group Get Out and Push will entertain the audience. The event will be at Smith Township Park, the site of former Mapleridge School at the corner of Bandy Road and Ohio Avenue. Ball fields and playground equipment remain at the site although the school building has been demolished.

Dave Mannion, township trustee, said the township hopes to one day build an administration building on the property.

“A lot of residents out in this portion of the county feel underserved by the park district for the taxes that they pay,” Mannion said.

The trustee hopes the event becomes a regular happening.

“We hope it’s more of a regular thing rather than a one-shot deal,” he said.