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Mill Creek Park is a popular place to visit in Youngstown, Ohio. It offers several hiking trails, gardens, ponds, a nature center, historic sites, and more.
Introduction to Mill Creek Park
Mill Creek Park was founded in 1891 by local attorney Volney Rogers (1846-1919), who was able to secure land from more than 90 landowners. It officially opened in 1893. The park covers an area of 2,658 acres and boasts 45 miles (72 kilometers) of recreational trails, an education center, and 3 lakes. There are also a pair of 18-hole golf courses designed by Donald Ross (1872-1948) that opened in 1928. Check the official website for more info.
While visiting family in nearby Campbell, we decided to spend an afternoon at Mill Creek with my cousin, Michael. There are many things to see and do, but we were limited on time. We decided to do one hiking trail and visit a couple historic sites.
East Cohasset Trail
We started with the East Cohasset Trail, which follows the shore of Lake Cohasset. It’s a nice forested trail, and the changing colors of the leaves made it even more enjoyable. The trail is 1.2 miles long and we did about half of it.
Suspension Bridge
Next, we visited the historic suspension bridge, which is the oldest bridge in the park. It was built in 1895 and connects the east and west sides of the park. The bridge measures 86 feet long and 32 feet wide. It has been called the Silver Bridge, Castle Bridge, and Cinderella Bridge.
Lanterman’s Mill
Our third and final stop of the day was at Lanterman’s Mill and the covered bridge. Lanterman’s Mill is a beautiful building that sits alongside a small waterfall, and is one of the most scenic spots in the park. It was built in 1845 by German Lanterman and Samuel Kimberly to grind corn, wheat, and buckwheat. The mill is open from May through October daily except Mondays from 10am to 5pm. We visited on a Monday so unfortunately it was closed. Admission is US$3 for nonresident adults; US$1 for seniors, kids age 6-18, and college students with a valid ID; and free for kids under 6 (as of September 2024).
Covered Bridge
Behind Lanterman’s Mill is a covered bridge, which was built in 1989. It’s modeled after another 19th century bridge used by farmers to bring their grains to the mill. From the bridge, you can see down the river to the modern bridge that crosses the road.
