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Mill Creek MetroParks prepare for peak season
By ELISE FRANCO
Mill Creek MetroParks maintenance crews have weeks of work ahead of them preparing facilities for the spring and summer seasons.
Though many of the MetroParks attractions opened in mid-March, maintenance manager Phil Pezzuto said the season kickoff isn’t until Memorial Day.
He said crews typically work on cleaning and prepping the grounds from late March to Memorial Day weekend.
“Once Old Man Winter backs off for good, everyone starts to gear up for spring,” he said.
Pezzuto said turning the water back on in restrooms is high on the priority list. He said the Youngstown Water Department will check the meters and restore water after Easter.
He said in the meantime, crews are repairing pipes, fountains and any other outdoor facilities that use water.
Pezzuto said a lot of time also is spent cleaning trash and debris from the parks and facilities.
“A lot of effort is put into picking up trash,” he said. “Unfortunately, everyone seems to like to litter, and once the snow melts, you have a string of trash on the ground.”
Pezzuto said these crews are crucial in making sure the grounds are kept in pristine condition throughout the season. “We rely on these people,” he said.
Pete Thomas, who’s spent 14 years on the maintenance crew, said he is tasked with several jobs throughout the season.
“Now we’re doing the street sweeping, and when we get done with that, we’ll move on to the patching,” he said. “It’s a busier time for us, and I like that I get to be outside.”
Pezzuto said crews also will be out this month sweeping gravel from streets, patching potholes, repairing signs and mowing, blowing and trimming.
Linda Kostka, MetroParks development and marketing director, said people often visit during this time of year and wonder why there is litter on the ground or potholes in the roads.
Kostka said many people don’t realize the work that goes into keeping the park looking perfect.
“We have to make sure the park looks good for the public. ... People expect that,” she said. “We want them to enjoy the park without seeing trash and hitting potholes.”
Because the spring and summer seasons are so busy, Pezzuto said, the park hires seasonal help. This year, 11 seasonal employees were hired. Last year, the department had 16 seasonal employees.
“In the midst of all this, we still get concerns from the public and from other departments that we have to address,” he said. “It takes a lot to get there. People only see what the park is supposed to look like.”