Former Mill Creek MetroParks horticulture director lands new gig

Staff report

COLUMBIANA

Keith Kaiser, longtime horticulture director for Mill Creek MetroParks, has a new job.

The Restoration and Beautification Committee of Columbiana has hired Kaiser to handle the horticulture work for renovations that are underway at Firestone Park.

Kaiser served as the director of Fellows Riverside Gardens, the MetroParks’ botanical gardens, for 27 years until his position was eliminated in February as part of a staff restructuring.

The restructuring eliminated the positions of 12 other employees as well.

Kaiser signed a severance package with the MetroParks in May.

After completing the cataloging of Firestone Park, Kaiser planted numerous plant beds and containers for the committee’s Summer Floral Display, the beautification group said in a news release.

He will maintain the plant beds and containers through the end of the season, according to the release.