Spending time at the rose garden at Fellows Riverside Gardens at Mill Creek MetroParks are Denise Stewart, president of the Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens board; Sallie Dutton of Youngstown, a board member; Chris Solter, chairman of the garden party; Dr. Yau T. Chiu, board member; and Janet Yaniglos of Liberty, former board member.

YOUNGSTOWN — Sunny skies and cool breezes brought a tranquil feel to Fellows Riverside Gardens at Mill Creek MetroParks, where 250 gathered Friday evening during the annual gala that raises funds to beautify the park.

The Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens hosted its four-hour outdoor garden party.

Denise Stewart, the Friends board president, said the 20-plus year event generates funds to maintain and improve the gardens. Many years, the event provided $20,000 or more.

She said the gardens were started with an endowment and have remained a popular attraction for those who visit the park and the D.D. Davis Center, where a touchless entry was added with funds raised by the Friends. The organization boasts more than 500 members.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, participants spread out with food served at different sites, Stewart said

“Through the endowment, we have been able to give $75,000 for many different projects at Mill Creek MetroParks,” she said. “One of the big projects is the education building from the Cushwa Foundation for educational programs. We donated from that fund $241,000.

“We also raised $100,000 for the building project to get it off the ground.”

Stewart said the Joann Beeghly Rose Gardens are a big attraction, with the many variety of flowers.

”So many people come here to see the rose gardens. Even during COVID-19 when everything was shut down, these free gardens were like a respite for people to come and sit and relax. It was a place for people to come and be outside and appreciate what we have,” she said.

Guests could see the work started on the education building in the family garden area, located north of the main parking lot. That project is scheduled for completion before the end of the year.

Bob McGowan of Canfield, a Friends member, said people like the peacefulness of the gardens with the fountains. Stewart said the fountains are lit at night with different colors.

Germaine Bennett, a Mill Creek MetoParks board commissioner, said she looks forward to the gala.

“I was sad last year when we couldn’t have it. I love the gardens. I love the camaraderie and getting to see people we have not seen in awhile,” she said.

Karen Segesto of Austintown said the gardens and park “are just a gem that we have in the Valley.”

Barbara Brothers of Youngstown, also a Friends member, said being at the park brings back memories of she and her family at the park and walking the trails.

“We grew up here and would always come to the park,” she said, adding her brother is visiting from out of town and one place they will come is Mill Creek Park.