Winter thrills at Wick Area sled hill

Temperatures must be in the teens for the snow to stick, a park official said.

By JON MOFFETT

Vindicator Staff Writer

Katie Colbaugh is taking some time off from being a college student to reconnect with her inner child.

Colbaugh, 20, who attends Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and her 7-year-old sister, Claire, spent Tuesday afternoon sledding at the James L. Wick Recreation Area of Mill Creek Park in Youngstown.

“It brings back memories from [being] a kid,” she said. “And now I get to live through my sister.”

The Colbaughs, along with their mother Kristin, 46, of Canfield, were some of many who enjoyed the hill this week. On a good day, the hill can see about 1,000 people a day, management said.

“It’s a great thing for the park,” said Rich Cerimele, who manages the Wick area. “I just wish we had something else to offer people during the winter season because it is the slow part of the year as far as getting [outdoors] and doing things.”

The sled hill is adjacent to the par 3 golf course in the area, off of McCollum Road. It is open to the public from 8 am. until 9:30 p.m., weather permitting. The hill has lighting so it can be enjoyed after dark.

Jim McGowan, 45, of Hubbard, brought his daughters Morgan, 11, and Madison, 8, and two of their friends. McGowan said the free fun the hill provides is worth the trip.

“The kids have a ball here, and they just love it,” he said. “It’s a good time to spend with your kids and it means something to them.”

The hill has been operating in its current form since the winter of 2002, Cerimele said. The Mill Creek MetroParks staff creates an initial layer of snow so the hill can be used throughout the season.

The MetroParks owns a “snow gun,” which produces a base layer before the first natural snowfall. The machine features two large hoses that spray water into the air. The air temperature has to be in the teens, Cerimele said, for the process to work.

“You have water going up one side, air going up the other side of the gun and they mix when they come out of the nozzles and become a mist,” Cerimele said. “The mist, once it hits the air, comes out more like a frozen rain.”

That “frozen rain” is used to create a base layer of about 2 inches on the hill, Cerimele said. Then it’s up to Mother Nature to do the rest.

For parents who don’t want to brave the elements, the Wick area also has a warming house complete with concession stand, television and fireplace.

In addition to the large sled hill, a smaller one – called Hobbit Hill – is available for children four-feet and under. Patrons are required to bring their own sleds and respect other sled riders.

Colbaugh and Claire took turns going down the hill separately and in tandem. Claire said her favorite part was flipping over at the bottom of the hill.

“It’s a fun time,” Cerimele said. “It gives the kids something to do while they’re on vacation from school.”

Mill Creek Sled Hill

Hours of operation

The Wick Recreation Area sled hill is open from December until February, weather permitting. Its hours are:

Sled hill: 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. every day.

Warming house: 3 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon until 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

Information: (330) 740-7114

Source: Mill Creek MetroParks