Cold, snowy, new hill proves comfy for Florida cousins and Cortland natives

Snow makes conditions perfect for fun on new Eastlake MetroPark sled-riding hill

Staff report

CORTLAND

It may have seemed like a fish out of water, but South Florida cousins who came to visit Trumbull County relatives this week took to the 30-degree temperatures and snow-covered sled hill just fine.

Lori Fiest of Cortland and her sister, Connie Franklin of Warren, said the timing was perfect for cousins from the Miami area who arrived a few days ago with hopes of experiencing snow for the first time.

Several inches of snow late Thursday and early Friday made conditions perfect at the new Eastlake MetroPark sled-riding hill on state Route 46 for nine visiting cousins and seven members of the family from Warren and Cortland.

This is the first year the hill has been open for sled riding. A paved parking area has been complete for a couple of years.

“We’ve been waiting for snow.” Fiest said, adding that she was overjoyed when she saw it coming down overnight.

“We love it,” said Lorena Whiddon of Miami. “We’ve been in snow, but not a sled- riding hill like this.”

Many of the younger members of the family had never been in snow before, she said.

Lori pointed out that some of the cousins were just playing in the snow, not even interested in the sled riding.

When her husband, Charles, warned grandson Joseph Whiddon that he might not get to see snow on this trip, Joseph replied, “I’m praying for snow,” Lorena said.

Little Sophia Willoughby, 3, of Florida, had three words when prompted by her cousins: “I’m loving it.”

Carly Cramer of Cortland said having a nice hill so close to home will make life easier.

“I only have to drive a mile down the road,” she said. “Before I had to drive to Mill Creek Park for a safe hill.”