One of the recent upstart activities in the Valley is the passion and drive to change the Mahoning River.
Long discarded after decades of pollution and abuse, and slow agency attention, the river has sat as one of the most under-utilized resources.
But Friends of Mahoning River have turned the page on that history.
How successful have they been?
Check out this letter that came in this week:

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Hi,
My dad saw the story about the recent Riverfest and new dock and let me know about it here in Michigan.  When my husband and I are back in the area in a few weeks to visit, we thought maybe we would bring our canoe and take a paddle on the Mahoning, having paddled pretty much all of the Shenango. Is the new launch at the B&O Station, and if so are they OK with paddlers parking there?  And is there a good takeout downriver, or do you suggest going upstream and returning to the new dock?  There isn't a lot of info out there about paddling the Mahoning, so any information would be really great.  Thanks.
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That's a new chapter for sure.