By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Wendy Manning has been nothing if not dogged in her pursuit of a dog park in Bowling Green. At last week’s City Council meeting, she announced that the Citizens for BG Dog Parks Committee has incorporated as a legal entity and is looking forward to further discussions with city officials.
Manning was selected as president of the group’s board, which has been working to get a dog park within walking distance from Bowling Green homes, unlike the county’s dog park east of Interstate 75.
At the urging of city officials, the group had a feasibility study done on dog parks, has held several fundraisers, has agreed to create a non-profit organization to lease land for a dog park, and has agreed to maintain the site.
The arrangement would relieve the city’s park and recreation department from stretching its staff further than they already are.
A feasibility study of possible sites for a dog park narrowed the options to a portion of Ridge Park as the most likely location. And City Council has earmarked $150,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for a dog park.
Manning said she welcomed further talks about establishing a dog park.
Also at Monday’s meeting, Kathleen Dennis announced that a workshop on financially accessible housing in Bowling Green is planned for members of BG Save Our Neighborhoods Group. Dennis invited members of City Council to attend.
In other business, council:
- Authorized the annexation of city-owned land at the intersection of North Main Street and Bishop Road, across the road from the Abbott Laboratories property already annexed to the city. The annexation request now goes to the Wood County Commissioners for review.
- Approved the city’s annual agreement with the Wood County Regional Airport Authority.
- Heard the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the utilities director to execute a loan agreement with the Ohio EPA for construction of the clarifier improvements project at the water pollution control facility. The total estimate for all the clarifier work is $13.1 million.
- Learned during a year-end financial update from City Finance Director Dana Pinkert that Bowling Green is fiscally stable, and efforts are being made to analyze revenue streams and expenses to ensure it remains that way.
