Hearty hikers start year on path to robust health

January 4, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

BOARDMAN

Many people include getting more exercise on their list of New Year’s resolutions, but mere days into 2016, more than a dozen determined folks put their money where their feet are.

“I love to hike in the wintertime. I can see more into the woods this time of year than any other,” said Duane Metz of Mineral Ridge, referring to one of many aspects of Mill Creek MetroParks he enjoys.

To further connect with the sprawling metropolitan park – and to get the new year started with a share of exercise – Metz joined 12 others who took part in Sunday’s Resolution Walk, which began near the Lake Newport wetlands area off Sheban Drive.

The two-hour, 5-mile hike got underway on the rather rocky and challenging West Channel and Islands Trail, and took attendees around much of the lake as well as to areas near Canfield Road. A persistent light snow fell as they also looked for signs of wildlife activity.

Metz, an 11-year park volunteer who retired after having worked 30 years at General Motors in Lords- town, also leads 10-mile hikes through the park twice annually. Metz added that he has befriended many people over the years, courtesy of his connection with what many see as one of the Mahoning Valley’s most-cherished landmarks.

Sunday’s event also was among the slate of special programs and activities planned to celebrate Mill Creek MetroParks’ 125th anniversary this year. In 1891, Youngstown attorney Volney Rogers founded the urban park, which spans nearly 5,000 acres.

Leading the walk was Ray Novotny, a 31-year park naturalist who kicked things off with a brief discussion about river otters, one of which was spotted last month near Lake Newport. In 1986, a year after he began his career at the park, 123 of the semiaquatic mammals were released throughout Ohio, said Novotny, who noted that the otters’ numbers had diminished mainly because of pollution, changes in habitat and overharvesting.

“Essentially, they are a big cousin of the mink,” observed Novotny, the park’s outdoor-education manager.

Within the last 30 years, the park’s wildlife has grown to also include bald eagles, including one that often can be seen near the wetlands, and wild turkeys, he continued.

Also undeterred by temperatures in the low 30s, a slight breeze and the Valley’s first real taste of winter was Matt Peyko of Boardman, a Kent State University junior who plans to major in park management.

“I come here a lot on school breaks,” he said, adding that Lake Glacier and the many waterfalls rate high among his favorite places in Mill Creek MetroParks.

Peyko also uses the park for hikes as well as consistent 3-mile runs. In addition, he used some of the roads and trails to train for a marathon, he recalled.

Regardless of one’s interests or athleticism, however, Mill Creek MetroParks offers something appealing for everyone – everything from enjoying nature to getting away from daily stressors to taking advantage of its numerous programs year-round, Novotny said.

“We have all kinds of opportunities during its 125th anniversary,” he added. “We have something really special here. I think it’s worthy of celebration.”