From left, Natural Resources Coordinators Cinda Stutzman and Mike Przysiecki, business office manager Cheryl Witt, Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley, Recreation Coordinator Ivan Kovacevic, and board member Ardy Gonyer.
Bowling Green Parks and Recreation plans to add security cameras to it properties.
At its Oct. 24 board meeting, Recreation Coordinator Ivan Kovacevic reported that the parks have submitted a series of grants, including one to the Bowling Green Community Foundation to fund security cameras as Simpson Garden Park. Grants were also submitted to the Wood County Park District for additional security cameras at Carter Park, including at the new inclusive playground, for improvements to some sand volleyball courts, and for improvements to the Children’s Garden at Simpson.
The board also heard a maintenance update from Natural Resources Coordinator Mike Przysiecki. He noted among his updates that they are currently working on winterizing the city pool and waterpark complex, and that they are looking into some larger projects at the Community Center, including some structural repairs as well as the roof, which is approaching 20 years of age.
In other business, the board:
• Heard updates from Natural Resources Coordinator Cinda Stutzman. Among her updates, she noted that the prairie planting project at the city’s water treatment plant and wastewater treatment plant is set to get underway in the next month. She said that approximately 16 acres of ground are being transitioned from turf into prairie habitat. This project, she said, will decrease the city’s carbon footprint and increase habitat for wildlife, among other benefits.
“It represents the city as a whole making some serious sustainability steps,” Stutzman said.
• Heard from board member Ardy Gonyer, who noted that the Parks and Recreation Foundation received at $68,000 bequest from an estate. How that money will be used is still being determined. The source of the bequest could not yet be disclosed. Gonyer also noted that the recent Party for the Parks fundraiser event was successful, but financial details were not yet available.
• Heard from resident Rose Drain, of Bowling Green Citizens for Dog Parks, who noted that continuing discussions about establishing a walk-to dog park in the city had been included in the Parks and Recreation five-year master plan.
“I hope we can continue that conversation,” Drain said. “We’re seeing that dog parks are becoming ever more popular in cities across Ohio and the United States, and communities near to us – Findlay, Tiffin, Perrysburg, Rossford have dog parks. So we hope to get one going here in Bowling Green.”
