Area Digest: Pedestrian signals

Pedestrian signals

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The city is looking into obtaining state money to help defray the cost of installing pedestrian signals for visually impaired people.

Ken DeFiore, assistant civil rights coordinator at Disability Options Network, recently asked city council to have voice message signals installed at four downtown intersections. DeFiore is visually impaired.

Essentially, the signals announce the name of the street when it’s safe to cross that street.

The intersections DeFiore discussed are: Washington and Jefferson streets, East Washington and Mercer streets, East Washington and Mill streets and East Washington Street and Croton Avenue. The estimated cost for one pedestrian crossing is $4,250. City officials intend to look into grants through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to help pay for the signals.

Educational walk set

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Visitors can learn how a puddle provides biodiversity at Jennings Environmental Education Center at 2 p.m. April 6. The Jennings staff will lead a walk allowing participants to observe the species that thrive in vernal pools and examine why these special places are important. This program is designed for families with children ages 6 and older. Interested parties should register by contacting the center at (724) 794-6011 by March 31.

Vernal pools provide a unique habitat that several animals depend on to carry out their life cycles. Certain amphibians, such as the spotted salamander and the wood frog, use the pools as incubators where their young hatch and develop.

Jennings is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and on weekends as scheduled. The trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset for hiking and other environmentally related activities.

Lanterman’s Mill hours

YOUNGSTOWN — Lanterman’s Mill in Mill Creek Park, off Canfield Road, will reopen from noon to 4 p.m. weekends only beginning April 5. On April 29, the Mill will resume full summer hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends and holidays.

Call (330) 740-7107 to book school or group tours. To make arrangements for barrier-free access, call (330) 740-7115.

Spring lake hours

HERMITAGE, Pa. — The Mahaney, Clark and Shenango Day Use areas at Shenango Lake will open April 4, said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Mahaney and Shenango Day Use areas will be open sunrise to sunset. The boat launch is open 24 hours.

The Clark Day Use area is open sunrise to sunset, and the boat launch 24 hours.

Boat launching fees won’t be charged until May 9.

Pavilion rental is $40. Call the park office for more information.

The Shenango Campground will open May 9. Campsite reservations are at 1-(877)-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov.

The Bayview Off-Road vehicle area will open May 24.

For more information call (724) 962-7746 or (724) 646-1124. Recorded information is available at (724) 962-4384.