By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The brook babbled in the background. The steel drums shaped like flowers vibrated with each mallet strike. And inside the giant clay pot, 2 1/2-year-old Jones Carsey colored pictures with his grandma, Sandi Carsey – oblivious to the festivities outside in the garden.
Monday was the rededication of two areas at each end of Bowling Green’s Simpson Garden Park – one for the youngest park patrons to explore, and the other for people seeking the healing qualities of nature.
The Children’s Garden now has rain barrels and colorful watering cans so little hands can water flowers, a grassy area for little feet to explore, towering murals of colorful insects, three petal percussion drums, and a new liner and aquatic plants in the pond. And a more user-friendly giant clay pot welcomes children with a table, seats and windows letting in sunlight. The herbs are gone, and bright zinnias have been added.
As Kristin Otley, director of the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department, welcomed park supporters to the rededication, she implored that they “enjoy this glorious spot.”
Mayor Mike Aspacher noted the city’s gratitude for ongoing and consistent support of citizens and volunteers.
“It’s always great to be in one of Bowling Green’s parks,” Aspacher said.
The Children’s Garden was the first part of Simpson Garden Park to be finished 15 years ago. Some who grew up playing in the park now work on taking care of the site.
“This is one of my favorite gardens. I remember playing here as a kid,” said Adessa Miller, who is now manager of the park.
The mural was painted by another park employee, Etta Galloway, who turned a brick wall into some creepy crawly creatures.
“They gave me pretty much free rein over the design,” said Gallaway. She toyed with plants or people, but settled on insects.
“I had such a fondness for insects when I was a kid,” Gallaway said last year as she painted. She is hoping the murals may get kids thinking of the insects they share the world with.
“I’m not sure, but I don’t think kids get outside as much as I did,” she said. “Hopefully this will spark some curiosity.”
“We’re trying to make it kid-friendly,” Miller said.
Some of the original plans for the children’s space 15 years ago were made through the lenses of adults. This time around they have occasionally relied on Miller’s little sister as a sounding board.
There are plans to add a Sycamore tree to the children’s area, Mike Przysiecki, the parks operations coordinator, said while working on the park last year.
Przysiecki has fond memories as a child of scrawling treasure maps on the huge sheets of bark that Sycamore trees shed. He’s hoping children here can find that same joy.
“Thanks for making the dream become a reality,” Miller said to the crowd gathered Monday.
At the other end of Simpson Garden Park, near the entrance bordering Wood County Hospital, a second dedication was held on Monday.
When Mary Dawson noticed the first sculpture, that was on loan to the park, was gone from the Healing Garden, she knew the area needed another. So she procured the funding and worked with the artist Gail Christofferson to create a new sculpture of glass, this one named “Glory.”
Dawson secured a grant from the Bowling Green Arts Council and funding from the Wolfe Family Foundation.
The sculpture became a tribute to Mary Wolfe, a life-long art patron.
Dawson said the image and name of the artwork is fitting for a garden dedicated to people who are healing.
“We hope you feel the sun’s rays and the benefit of ‘Glory,’” she said.
Other pieces of Christofferson’s work can be seen at several locations in Bowling Green, including the Wood County Senior Center, City Park, Community Center, and Bowling Green State University.
