Submitted photo This sign is posted at the entrance to the McGuffey Wildlife Preserve on McGuffey Road, according to a news release from Richard Scarsella, chairman of the board of trustees of the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society.

COITSVILLE — The Coitsville Township Trustees issued a news release Thursday to address concerns raised this week by Richard Scarsella, chairman of the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society, over the McGuffey Wildlife Preserve not yet being open after they acquired it from Mill Creek MetroParks earlier this year.

“The preserve has not remained closed due to any lack of commitment by the township,” the trustees’ news release states. “Rather, the trustees have been addressing the practical and safety-related responsibilities that accompany the transfer of ownership.”

The release, written by township Trustee Rebecca Mickler, added that recent heavy rainfall has also impacted efforts to cut the grass and otherwise ensure the safety of the newly acquired property.

“The township has also been working to restore historical recognition at the site. Much of the existing signage was removed by (the MetroParks) because it was no longer responsible for the property,” the release states.

“The trustees believe it is important to provide clear, welcome signage and acknowledge the site’s rich history. And plans are underway to place a temporary banner at the preserve until more permanent signs can be erected.”

When The Vindicator spoke with Mickler on Thursday, she provided a copy of the minutes of the Jan. 21, 2026, meeting of the Coitsville trustees during which the trustees voted to send a letter to Mill Creek MetroParks expressing the township’s interest in acquiring the McGuffey Road preserve.

The Vindicator also obtained a copy of the May 20, 2026, deed from the Mahoning County Recorder’s Office formalizing the Coitsville trustees’ acquisition of the preserve from the MetroParks for $1.

“Coitsville Township officially passed a resolution to purchase the McGuffey Wildlife Preserve” at the trustees meeting May 20, 2026, the trustees’ news release states.

“Upon receiving the deed, the trustees immediately began the process of assuming responsibility for the property and evaluating the steps necessary to safely reopen it to the public,” the trustees’ news release states.

Mickler said Wednesday by phone that the trustees intend to have the preserve back open by the end of June.

Scarsella issued a news release Wednesday regarding the McGuffey Wildlife Preserve having signage stating that the preserve is not open to the public. Scarsella mentioned that another entity expressed interest also in acquiring the preserve that has “much deeper pockets than the township.”

Scarsella added, “If the township is unable to open and maintain the preserve, I would hope the township would consider giving up ownership. The current situation is not acceptable.”

Scarsella told The Vindicator on Thursday that the members of the historical society are “alarmed” that the preserve is closed, “and there are no signs saying when or if it will reopen. There is not even a sign identifying what it is.”

The historical society donated the preserve to the MetroParks in 1988, but Scarsella battled with the MetroParks in recent years over the condition of a pond and former dock on the property until the MetroParks announced in November 2025 that its board voted to sell the preserve, though the MetroParks did not know yet who was buying the property or for how much.

The trustees’ news release addressed the controversy of the pond and dock by stating that the township has no responsibility to address concerns raised in the past about issues such as a pond and dock on the property, and the township is “under no obligation to fulfill provisions contained in past agreements between the Mill Creek MetroParks and the previous owners, which are now null and void.”

It added, “The trustees’ vision is centered on preserving the McGuffey Wildlife Preserve as a natural, historical and educational resource that is safe, accessible and sustainable for future generations.

“The trustees have no plans to pursue restoration of a pond, dock or similar recreational infrastructure. Instead, decisions regarding the property will be guided by sound stewardship, community benefit, public safety and responsible use of taxpayer resources while preserving the natural character of the preserve,” the trustees stated.