Mill Creek Park glistens in the snow Wonderful Winter


By William D. Lewis

lewis@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

When the topic of Mill Creek Park is mentioned, most folks think of green, tree-lined trails, pleasant summer days or spectacular fall foliage.

During the summer months, the trails, paths and roads in the park often are filled with visitors.

When the snow begins to fly and the mercury drops, however, a whole new side of the park emerges.

The vibrant colors and sounds of summer are replaced with a monochromatic scene of snow and ice — and the chirping of birds hoping for a snack at the Ford Nature Center bird feeder.

As the temperature drops, ice begins to form along the walls of the gorge near Lanterman’s Mill. If the weather stays below freezing for a few weeks the ice formations can be spectacular.

For those willing to bundle up and brave cold weather, a walk along Mill Creek Park’s East Gorge boardwalk or West Gorge trail in winter can be a rewarding experience. Some folks visit the park in winter for solitude or exercise or to take in the nearly 4,440 acres of natural beauty the park has to offer.

Local painter Mary Ann Rosati visits the park with a camera in winter to come up with ideas for her artwork. She says the scenes she photographs in the park inspire her paintings.