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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Danielle Tenney handed Camryn Porter a leaf she liked as they walked along with Camryn's brother Evan during the Trot With Your Tot event in Mill Creek Park.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Park employee Cody Stoll and Tara Calco, pushing her daughter Theresa, walked in Mill Creek Park for the bi-monthly Trot With Your Tot event.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Cody Stoll led the group of guardians with their strollers through Mill Creek Park on July 31 for the Trot With Your Tot event.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Tara Calco, pushing her daughter Theresa, walked along side Danielle Tenney, pushing Camryn Porter, during the Trot With Your Tot event in Mill Creek Park on July 31.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Cody Stoll led the group of guardians on a walk with their strollers through Mill Creek Park on July 31 for the Trot With Your Tot event.
By JESSICA HARKER
On July 31, the Mill Creek Park program Trot with your Tot hosted its bi-monthly hiking event.
The program, started by Cody Stoll, a park employee and new mom, began just more than four months ago.
Stoll, who’s son Teddy is 9-months-old, said that she was hired by the park when she was six months pregnant.
“I spent the whole time I was on leave coming up with programing that could involve him,” Stoll said, which was her inspiration for this event.
The event is a one mile walk through the trails near Ford Nature Center.
Stoll said she chose the paths that are paved, to be sure they are stroller friendly.
“I really want to encourage young children to come, the younger the better,” Stoll said, “That way you get them into nature as soon as possible.”
Danielle Tenney, who attended the event with Evan and Camryn Porter whom she baby-sits, said it was her first time for this program, but that she loves to attend events like this in Mill Creek.
“Its great to get them out of the house, there’s a lot to do and a lot for them to explore,” Tenney said, “I also think they are better behaved.”
Stoll said that a lot of parents come consistently that are involved in the Youngstown Area Nursing Moms Club, a Facebook support group for local moms, but that anyone is encouraged to join.
“I really think the benefits are that children get out into nature, they get to explore parts of the park they have never seen before, and its right before nap time,” Stoll said.
The program is offered on different days every month, according to Stoll, but will always be on one Tuesday and one Saturday for working parents.
“It’s a lot of fun for them, sometimes we see a turkey or chipmunks,” Tenney said, “Plus they aren’t spending the whole day playing inside.”
For more information on the next Trot with your Tot event, or other programs at Mill Creek Park, go to www.millcreekmetroparks.org/events.