By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Local pizza at the pool and nature pathways in the parks are just a slice of what Bowling Green City Parks are offering this summer.
Forget the former frozen pizza at the pool in City Park. This year, the concession stand will be selling local pizza, Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley announced Tuesday during a board meeting.
The city received bids from three local pizza shops, so the decision was made to give each business one month at the pool concession stand.
The three pizza shops to sell their slices poolside are Pizza Pub 516, Jet’s and Domino’s. Customers are allowed to order concession stand food without paying for entrance to the pool.
The pool is scheduled to open this Saturday for the summer season.
Pathway in Carter Park
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, which was held at a shelter house in Carter Park, park naturalist Chris Gajewicz talked about the natural area in the center of Carter Park. While much of the focus at the park is on the baseball fields and Frisbee golf, an area in the park has been allowed to grow up naturally. Paths have been mowed in the woodlot so people can walk through and check out the wildflowers.
“It gives Carter Park not just the manicured look,” but also a bit of nature, Gajewicz said.
People can often be seen walking through the woodlot.
“It shows the power of nature – even the littlest piece of nature can pull them in,” he said.
Gajewicz also announced that the recent burn in the nature preserve and birding program offered at Wintergarden/St. John’s Nature Preserve were very successful.
He also talked about the plants sprouting up in Simpson Garden Park and the healing garden there.
“Keep coming out to the gardens, because it’s changing all the time,” he said.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, recreation coordinator Ivan Kovacevic talked about the start of several summer park programs.
Lunch in the Park kicks off on June 1, and continues every Friday through July in City Park. The annual Art in the Park is set for June 8, from 5 to 7 p.m., in Simpson Garden Park. And Concerts in the Park start on June 10 at Needle Hall in City Park.
Also planned is a Farmers Market Mile Fun Run and Vegetable Relay 5K Race on June 13 at 5:30 p.m.
The next park and rec board meeting will be June 26, at 7 p.m., in the Girl Scout Building in City Park.
