By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Throughout the year, Bowling Green’s parks provide passive places for people to enjoy nature. But during the summer, the park settings ramp up programming for all ages.
Kids learn at sports camps, summer theater programs and nature camps. Adults gather to socialize at weekly lunches and listen to Sunday evening concerts in the park. And all ages are playing pickleball on the new outdoor courts.
This past summer, more than 1,100 youth participated in the programs, according to Ivan Kovacevic, program coordinator.
“We definitely kept busy with the kids,” Kovacevic said recently during a monthly meeting of the BG Parks and Recreation Board. He reported participation numbers for some of the more popular programs:
Summer youth programs:
- 153 in recreation camps
- 262 in sports camps
- 88 in T-ball/coach pitch leagues
- 60 in Safety Town and Advanced Safety Town
- 105 in nature camps
- 54 in youth summer theater programs
- 343 swimming lesson participants
- Hosted three drop-in wiffleball dates, with about 45 participants
- Hosted wiffleball tournament with 10 kids
Adult programs and community events for all ages:
- Art in the Park partnership with BG Arts Council
- Six concerts in the park
- Eight lunches in the park
- Sand volleyball leagues for adults – 10 teams with about 100 participants
Current and upcoming fall programs:
- Fall volleyball – seven teams with about 30 players
- 255 kids in fall soccer program
- 32 kids in fall flag football
- 36 participants in afterschool youth volleyball
Kovacevic reported that Parents’ Night Out programs have resumed once a month on Fridays. And a spin off program, called First Friday Frenzy, is starting in October for older kids who have aged out of Parents’ Night Out.
Youth basketball league registration underway for fall program
Natural Resources Coordinator Cinda Stutzman reported on a busy summer for nature programs and fieldwork. Most camps were at capacity, invasive weeds were tackled and trees watered. Stutzman said she is hoping the weather cooperates to allow for a prescribed burn this fall.
Regularly scheduled fall programs are planned:
- Fairy houses with Wood County District Public Library
- Pumpkin hunt at Wintergarden Park
- Holiday nature crafts
New this fall will be “Window on Wildlife Fridays,” with monthly public programs such as Marvelous Moths and Family Friendly Fireside Fun.
Stutzman also reported that natural resources, sports programming, and garden park staff have been collaborating on a mini restoration project this fall. The disc golf course at Carter Park has some landscaping islands that serve as obstacles for the course between the pads and the baskets.
“We are in the process of planting two pocket prairies and one dogwood hedgerow for participants to launch their frisbees over. These should be easier to maintain and add wildlife value to the space,” she said.
Also during the summer, a survey was conducted to determine what Bowling Green residents want from their parks. Focus groups met, and surveys were made available to the public at community events.
Kristin Otley, director of the BG Parks and Recreation Department, said the results of the survey will be presented at the park and rec board’s meeting in November.
