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Nature’s splendor
By Elise Franco
Youngstown
Autumn is in full swing, and some of the most scenic spots to check out the vivid fall foliage are right here in the Mahoning Valley.
Linda Kostka, Mill Creek MetroParks marketing and development director, said the park lands offer a variety of places for local leaf peepers to enjoy, such as Lake Glacier, Lanterman’s Mill and the Silver Bridge.
“The scenery is spectacular. The trees around the lakes are full of fabulous color,” she said. “We have an explosion of color in the fall.”
The leaf changing season usually peaks during the second or third week in October, and Kosta said she expects most of the trees in the MetroParks to peak by this weekend.
“Pockets of color are becoming more noticeable in both the rural and urban landscape,” said Casey Munchel, fall foliage expert for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources division of forestry. “Ohio has more than 100 hardwood tree species, and the variety of species contributes to the variety of colors.”
Jeremy Milano, 34, of Girard, said he visits the park at least three times per week, snapping photos and taking in the scenery.
“I probably have more than 300 pictures just of the park on my Facebook page,” he said. “I just enjoy the peace and the sound of the rustling of the leaves in the fall.”
Milano said even the 12 years he lived in Akron didn’t keep him from visiting his most beloved spots regularly.
“It’s a place to come and think and reflect,” he said. “It’s the only place left around here that’s really beautiful.”
Robert Thomas, ranger at Fellows Riverside Gardens, said while spring and summer are known for drawing in people, fall has just as much appeal.
“People like it when the weather gets cooler, and the leaves change,” he said.
Kostka said one of her favorite spots to sit and enjoy the autumn scenery is on the terrace overlooking Lake Glacier.
“There’s not a better view in town with the lake, the trees and all the colors,” she said. “The backdrop at Lanterman’s Mill with the waterfall and the mill is just awesome too.”
The four state parks in the Valley — Mosquito Lake in Cortland, Lake Milton in Lake Milton, Guilford Lake in Lisbon and Beaver Creek in East Liverpool — also offer free places to picnic hike and enjoy trees full of lush fall reds, oranges, browns and golds.