MILL CREEK METROPARKS Marketing efforts

Some new Mill Creek MetroParks public awareness initiatives:

Hiring Samantha L. Villella in March 2013 into the newly created high-level post of community engagement director at $57,200 annually.

Buying a $25,000 trolley to be used for public park tours beginning next spring.

Upgrading the park district’s website for $6,942.

How the public responded to questions about renewal of the existing park district levy and a potential new park capital improvements levy, in a scientific random sample mail and telephone survey of 574 Mahoning County residents taken last year by Youngstown State University:

“If a levy renewal referendum was held to continue the acquisition, improvement and development of the types of parks, trails, open space and recreation facilities that are most important to you and members of your household, how would you vote in the election?”

Vote in favor: 48.7 percent

Might vote in favor: 24.2 percent

Not sure: 13.9 percent

Vote against: 7.5 percent

Did not respond: 5.7 percent

“How supportive would you be of creating a second levy dedicated to funding only capital improvements to the parks, recreation and preserved open space in Mahoning County?”

Vote in favor: 27.2 percent

Might vote in favor: 27.1 percent

Not sure: 25.6 percent

Vote against: 14.5 percent

Did not respond: 5.6 percent

Source: Mill Creek MetroParks