Mahoning River

[Youngstownshrimp]

Although I live near the Mahoning river and know the land around the river, I have never been in the water.  Recently my nephew who bought a home in the City pushed me to buy a kayak and accessories with him, with the intent of navigating the river.  Today, I got a call from him and he said today was the day, I tried my best to get out of it, but he would not take no for an answer.  So we launched at the water works and I must say the river was so serene and paddling under the iron bridges and viewing Youngstown from the water was unbelievable!  What a gem we have in the City and the river is where it all started by the founders.  And my nephew was pulling fish up with every cast. 

Educated planners tell us that urban renewal begins at the water where most communities began.  Why are our leaders not focusing on the river?  In Poland our community group built a theater and 30' high stairway on the Yellow creek.  During the summers, movies are shown on the bridge wall and jazz concerts bring crowds into the village.  And Yellow creek is not even navigable.  I predict an innovator will come forth one day and develop the river into a recreation destination point, lets hope.