Mill Creek MetroParks board continues search for new director

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mill Creek MetroParks board continues the process of finding a new executive director to replace director Dennis Miller, who announced his resignation last month and will be leaving at year’s end.

“We’re still searching,” Lou Schiavoni, board president said Tuesday. He said the board is accepting applications through Oct. 24.

The board heard from a member of Save the Wildlife in Mill Creek Park, a group created to protest the park’s euthanization of 238 geese and goslings in June.

“I just wanted to let you know that we’re still here,” said Celeste Sinistro. “We’re not going to stop until there’s effective wildlife programs in this park that don’t involve killing.”

The board also heard concerns from some residents who are worried about a property on Bears Den Road adjacent to the park the board is acquiring.

The park is getting the property as part of a project with the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, a state program dedicated to preserving of open spaces.

Justin Rogers, park planning manager, said he property will undergo a restoration project next spring. “We’re going to let it naturalize and let it become part of our natural Mill Creek Park,” he said.