We represent the concerns of the people of the Mahoning Valley that appreciate the unique treasures we have in our community, Mill Creek MetroParks.

The park brings peace and tranquility to many who visit for their own pleasure. This includes hikers who enjoy the natural surroundings, the sounds of flowing water, birds, majestic trees and animals that bring the park to life — especially the deer. Runners are free spirits who want natural trails beneath their feet. We cannot forget the walkers, the bikers, the golfers and those who drive through the park just to be surrounded by the beauty of Mother Nature. The park is a comforting experience for many. To see a deer is to be one with nature.

Mill Creek MetroParks system consists of 15 separate properties located in Canfield, Struthers, Boardman, Sebring, Green Township, Ellsworth, Springfield Township, Smith Township, Coitsville, Beaver Township and Youngstown. The area is approximately 7.6 square miles.

In January of 2022 the MetroParks board of directors agreed to an aerial infrared survey to count the park’s deer density. Results of the survey concluded that there are 387 deer per square mile, which means there were 2,937 deer sighted. The park maintains that a reasonable count should be 20 deer per square mile. This means their goal is to slaughter 2,785 deer. This data is based on the aerial infrared survey shared on the MetroPark’s website.

We find the deer density report to be unbelievable. We question the validity of this survey, and we respectfully request the park system to re-evaluate the deer density.

The MetroParks’ method to reduce the number of deer is to allow hunters to enter the park during the nights scheduled for the hunt between Sept. 23 and Feb. 3.

With several of the parks located near residential properties, residents and many others in the community are concerned for their safety, their families’ safety and that of their pets.

There are questions many individuals would like to have answered by Mill Creek MetroParks Executive Director Aaron Young and his board. Here are just a few:

1) How will public safety be guaranteed?

2) How does the aerial infrared survey differentiate the heat source of a deer from that of a coyote, turkey, fox, geese, raccoon, etc., especially in wooded areas?

3) Why does the park continue to cut down healthy trees that otherwise would provide food and shelter for deer and other wildlife?

4) Is this method of deer culling referred to as legitimate government poaching?

When we attended a recent MetroParks board meeting to raise our concerns, the answers we received were vague, but one board members let out true feelings on Facebook. This is a direct quote:

“Time for me to rant about the deer issue in Mill Creek MetroParks. Science doesn’t matter. On the ground surveys don’t matter. The scientific literature doesn’t matter. What’s happening in other metroparks or national parks doesn’t matter. What you can see with your own eyes doesn’t matter. The long-term health of the park doesn’t matter. The opinion of experts doesn’t matter. The fact that most of the people opposed to deer management have never seen an actual healthy forest doesn’t matter.

“Even though, I haven’t completely made up my mind on the issue, the good news is that the science deniers don’t have a vote, and they’re not even trying to use logic in their arguments. It’s all emotion.”

So our takeaway is that the deer don’t matter. The park doesn’t matter. The community and taxpayers don’t matter. That leaves us to believe what really matters is the title as a board member and the members’ own agendas.

If anyone shares our concerns, please join the Facebook group called: Help Save the Mill Creek Park Deer.

Debbie Fender is a quality engineer/ wildlife photographer. Janet Bernard is a retired IUE-CWA staff representative.