By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Removal of the two “teepee” shelter houses at Carter Park is the next big ticket item on the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Board’s to-do list.
So the park shelter houses will be the benefactors of next year’s Wine and Cheese Auction event held for the parks.
This year’s Wine and Cheese Auction benefited Ridge Park. The event raised $24,495, according to park board member Jodi Anderson.
“It was very successful, as always,” Anderson said at Tuesday’s meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board.
“It was a great event,” Park Board President Jeff Crawford agreed.
It has already been decided that next year’s event will raise funds to remove the aging shelter houses in the middle of Carter Park.
Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley said the style of the current shelters is “interesting.” However, they are structurally questionable, and are no longer considered worthy of renting out.
The parks and recreation department has applied for a grant to build one new shelter to replace the two older ones. However, the grant won’t pay the entire cost, Otley said.
So funds raised from the Wine and Cheese Auction will be directed to that project.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Otley praised the recent maintenance improvements at Conneaut/Haskins Park. A new park sign has been installed, old shrubs have been removed, and the dumpster has been replaced by trash receptacles.
The Conneaut/Haskins Park is in store for more changes, thanks to an anonymous donation for new trees in the park, Otley said.
In other business at Tuesday’s meeting:
- Otley announced that the seasonal restrooms in the parks will be closed on Nov. 7. Year-round heated restrooms will remain open in City Park, Simpson Garden Park and Wintergarden Park.
- Otley reported the new City Park building is on-track, with construction likely to start next March. She expects the final plans to be ready to present to the board at its January meeting.
- Ivan Kovacevic, recreation coordinator, reported that the annual Zombie Mud Run was a success, with 133 participants this year.
- The board learned that new educational interpretive kiosks are being planned for Wintergarden Park, Carter Park and outside the Community Center to explain the native plantings in the parks.
