A visiting judge has rejected a petition to remove Mill Creek MetroParks' executive director and park commission members, ruling that the group acted lawfully in its deer management program.

Judge John S. Campbell, sitting by assignment, issued a judgment entry Friday denying the petition brought by Save the Deer, a group represented by attorney Marc E. Dann.

The petitioners, Chris Flak and Janet Bernard, argued that Executive Director Aaron Young and the park commission dismissed safety concerns and sought to eradicate deer from the 5,000-acre park. They cited an incident involving park visitors encountering men with a crossbow and alleged Young’s goal was to kill wildlife.

The court heard testimony from petitioners who raised concerns about equipment costs, golf cart rentals, and trail maintenance. Michael Drabison, a petitioner, testified about his connection with the park’s deer.

The park commission presented evidence that they adhered to the park’s mission statement and Ohio law. They emphasized that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, recommended a controlled hunting and archery program to manage the deer population and prevent overgrazing.

Campbell ruled that the park commission’s deer management plan, approved in response to the ODNR’s recommendations, was “responsive to community needs, is environmentally sound, is adaptable and is economically feasible,” aligning with the park’s mission statement.

“This Court finds no reason for cause to remove the Executive Director, Aaron Young and no grounds to remove any of the Park Commission Board members,” Campbell wrote in his judgment entry. “The Court finds that the Park Commission Board is a dedicated group of individuals who work well together. The Board follows the law; individually the members exercise independent judgment in consideration of issues before them; and as a group, they perform their duties in a professional manner.”

The judge noted that the petitioners had previously filed a case in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court regarding the deer management program, which was resolved by affirming the ODNR’s authority over deer management and hunting regulations.

The park commission members are appointed by the probate judge and serve without compensation, setting general policies for the park district.