Friday night walk honors Mill Creek founder

Youngstown

To honor Volney Rogers in his death, Mill Creek MetroParks enthusiasts will walk to the statue created in his honor during his life.

Today marks the 93rd year since Rogers’ death, and Ray Novotny, Ford Nature Center manager, said for 25 years he’s done all he can to show remembrance for the man who founded one of the Mahoning Valley’s most adored sites.

“We’re going to walk from [Ford Nature Center] to the statue built for Volney Rogers,” Novotny said. “During the hike I’ll talk some about Volney’s life and what he did for the park.”

Rogers, who died at 73, was instrumental in writing legislation allowing for the creation of the first park district in Ohio, then called Youngstown Township Park District, according to the MetroParks website.

In 1919, just before his death, a statue sculpted by Frederick C. Hibbard was erected to honor his efforts in creating and protecting the site.

The marble on the statue reads, “This park was conceived in his heart and realized through his devotion.”

It’s the same devotion Novotny said he has for keeping Rogers’ name alive.

The walk, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., begins at Ford Nature Center and ends at the statue on Fall Avenue in Youngstown. It’s two miles round-trip.

Novotny said the people who usually show up are “a small band of hearty souls.”