YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The golf course is the biggest jewel of Mill Creek Park, attracting visitors by the tens of thousands each year.

To keep it viable, Mill Creek MetroParks made several enhancements in 2024 and also opened an indoor player development center.

The improvements to the course and the entire park system are listed in the MetroParks’ annual report, which was released Tuesday. The report is laden with facts and figures, including:

  • The North and South courses saw a total of 58,021 nine-hole rounds played in 2024.
  • The two courses also saw a total of 36,537 18-hole rounds played last year.
  • The par-three course at Wick Recreation Area saw 17,009 nine-hole rounds played in 2024, and 9,097 18-hole rounds.

Physical improvements to the golf course included a revamp of the South Course parking lot, which was repaved with new drainage basins and beautified with an enhanced entryway and landscaping.

The architectural design of the irrigation system for both the North and South courses was finalized over the summer in preparation for future construction.

The courses hosted three collegiate tournaments in 2024, including the American Junior Golf Association All-Star National Invitational and Preview Tournament in June. The AJGA events had a financial impact of $408,268 from hotel stays, dining, recreational spending, green fees and shopping.

The indoor player development center on the second floor of the golf course’s fieldhouse opened at the start of last year. It boasts three golf simulator bays, a putting green, a club fitting area, offices, bathrooms and storage space.

In September, the clubhouse building at Wick Recreation Area – near the par-3 course, playground, tennis courts and batting cages –  reopened after receiving a $1.5 million facelift. It now has a team shop, equipment rentals, concession stand, a rental space for parties and a patio.

Mill Creek MetroParks had a total 2024 income of $19,380,187 from a tax levy, activities, gifts and grants, investment interest and other sources.

Its expenses for the year for salaries, materials and supplies, improvements, loan payments and other expenses totaled $13,570,136, leaving the system with a year-end cash balance of $5,810,051. Year-end encumbrances totaled $1,744,111, leaving an unencumbered balance of $4,065,940.

Other highlights of 2024 detailed in the report include:

  • Conservation: Approximately 1,900 trees were planted at the Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary and Vickers Nature Preserve to help reforest areas of reverting farmland. Since 2021, more than 6,000 trees have been planted.
  • New app: Mill Creek Metroparks launched an innovative mobile app designed to make exploring the park and its trails easier and more convenient. Powered by OuterSpatial, the app is free to download.
  • Sustainability: The Healthy Streams Initiative, an annual project dedicated to restoring natural flow patterns and reducing erosion along Mill Creek and its tributaries, focused on the section of Mill Creek flowing through the southern portions of the park. Last year’s work improved 5,809 linear feet of stream.
  • Wildlife management: The 2023-24 season marked the inaugural year for the deer management program. In total, 197 deer were harvested, 38 of which were donated to local food bands, resulting in 1,336 pounds of venison and more than 1,100 meals for those in need.
  • Pavilion project: A new 2,600-square-foot indoor/outdoor facility at the Vickers Nature Preserve, with banquet hall, kitchen, restrooms and a covered porch, was designed, and a contract was awarded. Construction of the $625,000 project will begin this year.

Pictured at top: A patron uses one of the new golf simulator bays at the Mill Creek Golf Course player development center.