Mill Creek Park lakes could be closed for remainder of summer

CANFIELD — The lakes in Mill Creek MetroParks will remain closed indefinitely, and almost certainly for the remainder of summer, Executive Director Aaron Young said.

Young today met with officials from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the city and county health boards, Eastgate Regional Chamber and the Mahoning County Engineer's Office to discuss water-quality issues in Mill Creek Park.

What came out of that meeting, Young said, is the understanding that the park's water issues — brought to light after city and county tests found elevated levels of E. coli in the water after a massive fish kill — are part of broader watershed challenges in this area.

The park system closed its lakes, previously used for recreational purposes, July 10.

Officials also determined that water-quality tests, likely conducted by the county board of health, will be taken biweekly at Lake Newport.