DEAR EDITOR:

Volney Rogers had a wooden building erected in what was then known as “Cricket Field” or “Orchard Meadows” (now part of Mill Creek Park) to serve as a shelter for the deer in his deer park reserve. This area was part of the early development of the park he founded to preserve the local natural landscape.

Key details regarding the deer shelter and surroundings:

● Location: The shelter was located in the area often referred to as “The Flats,” which functioned as a deer park reserve.

● Purpose: The wooden building was designed specifically as a shelter for deer.

● Context: The area, later known for picnics and recreation, was part of Rogers’ vision for preserving the Mill Creek gorge area.

Volney Rogers’ lasting contribution to Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley is the park he fought to create and maintain.

With this being known, one can truly see where Volney Rogers’ heart was. I remember when someone said that Volney probably hunted deer — not in our park he didn’t.

How sad that our park was built basically with the concept of love, family and nature, never to believe a monster would ever commandeer it and turn it into a killing field of death, greed and destruction.

KATHY MAINE

Canfield