The Ford Nature Center has been a staple for all things nature education in Mill Creek MetroParks since it opened in the early 1970s. After a multi-year renovation project, the nature center is ready to open once again.

"Mill Creek Park is unique, it's special. What we want to do is promote what people have in their own backyard,  says Justin Rogers, Director of Planning and Operations with the MetroParks. 

The historic property got a state-of-the-art remodel, with a focus on the preservation of the historic nature of the building built back in the early 20th century.

"It's state of the art where we incorporate a lot of interactive displays. It also preserved a lot of the history in terms of the architecture and cultural significance of the grounds,' adds Rogers. 

Whether it's birdwatching or bringing your class to the all-new outdoor classroom here at Ford Nature Center, the list of resources the newly renovated center has to offer is pretty long.

"We also have two multiuse classrooms that were in the former garage. The exterior spaces include a new green roof, several outdoor classrooms, an improvement trail for all peoples, an accessible trail throughout the woods, and a lot of native plantings throughout the site," says Rogers. 

With this renovation, Mill Creek MetroParks has big plans for the future of nature education with the Ford Nature Center at the center of those plans.

Information on where to spot plants and wildlife throughout the Metroparks is on display on the bottom floor. You'll even spot a large rock, unearthed during the renovation, that is estimated to be over three-hundred million years old.

"Our objective was to bring all the nature education for the MetroParks into one place. Whether you come here and take a self-guided or you're part of a program or a class, we wanted the Ford Nature Center to be the resource for nature education in the area," says Rogers. 

The Ford Nature Center will celebrate its grand re-opening to the public on Saturday, April 22nd, with a ribbon cutting at 10:00 a.m. The Ford Nature Center is located at 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown, Ohio.