Lily Pond luau will raise restoration funds

Photo

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR Standing with the Lily Pond in the background are committee members who are planning Luau at the Lily Pond, a fundraiser to help pay for a pond makeover. From left are Kirsten Peetz, MetroParks natural resources manager; Jessica Thompson, Clear Channel account executive; Louis Schiavoni, MetroParks board of commissioners president; Terri Parker, Schiavoni, Schiavoni, Bush & Muldowney; April Stanislaw, MetroParks marketing manager; and Linda Kostka, MetroParks development and marketing director.

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Mill Creek MetroParks wants to put visitors in an aloha state of mind with a luau from 5:30 to 9 p.m. June 22 at the Lily Pond.

Money from the fundraiser will be used for a much-needed makeover of the pond, the oldest man-made body of water in the park system. The pond is at the end of McCollum Road, and the luau will take place under a tent in the parking lot. Partygoers are asked to arrive in festively tropical attire.

Admission costs $50. Reservations, which are required, can be made by calling MetroParks at 330-702-3000.

Highlighting the festivities will be a cash bar, luau-themed food prepared by Chef David Armstrong of Cater 2 U, and island music by Calypso Gypsies Steel Drum Band.

The event also will feature a 50-50 raffle, silent auctions and basket auctions. Winners will take home baskets donated by local merchants.

Live lilies and a signature drink served in coconut souvenir mugs will be for sale.

Since 1896, waterfowl and goldfish have drawn visitors to the 3.25-acre pond. For more than a century, people have hiked the Lily Pond Circle Trail, which loops around the pond.

Through the decades, the pond has deteriorated, partly because of geese and duck congregation. Among the planned improvements are amending parking lot and drainage issues, creating a boardwalk and restoring landscaping that Canada geese have destroyed.