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Sugar house sweetens syrup production
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The Mill Creek MetroParks sugar house had its ribbon-cutting Wednesday morning. Linda Kostka of the MetroParks, left, Michael Ray, Youngstown 4th Ward councilman, and Paul Hagman, a volunteer for the Rocky Ridge Neighborhood Association, were in attendance. The sugar house in James L. Wick Jr. Recreation Area will house the syrup making process and provide educational opportunities.
By Kalea Hall
YOUNGSTOWN
The nearly finished sugar house at the James L. Wick Jr. Recreation Area in Mill Creek MetroParks offers a place to produce syrup and provide educational opportunities.
One hundred trees were tapped, and 30 gallons of syrup were gathered by volunteers this year — the second time for tree tapping. “We thought it was great,” said Linda Kostka, director of development for the metroparks. “It’s created such sense of community.”
In 1951, Kostka said, 125 sugar-maple trees were planted in the park in memory of Charles S. Robinson, a former park board member.
For years the trees grew, and nothing was done with them until last year.
“We had a great year of production,” said Paul Hagman, a volunteer with the Rocky Ridge Neighborhood Association.
The production of the syrup last year led to about $6,500 for playground equipment and other endeavors.
This year’s work also went well, but it lasted only three to four weeks.
The sugar-house construction started in January “to increase production and create some educational opportunities,” Hagman said. About $41,000 was raised to build the house, which sits off McCollum Road and to fund equipment.
“It was a great community effort from foundations and the MetroParks and the city,” Hagman said.
Next year, those involved are hoping to tap an additional 50 trees.
The sugar-house building provides a comfortable place for the volunteers as well as a place for future educational activities. More painting and other items need to be finished before the house is officially complete.
Syrup goes on sale today at Fellows Riverside Gardens. It is $15 for 8 ounces. Last year’s batch sold out in less than 24 hours.
“It’s better than last year,” Hagman said of the syrup.
At 1 p.m. Saturday, there will be an “Mmm-mmm Maple Syrup” event at the sugar house. Librarians will host a story time for kids, and Mill Creek Maple volunteers will be on hand with syrup samples to taste.