The Parklet Project and Bowling Green State University’s School of Art announced today that the first parklets of the 2022 season will be installed on Friday, April 15. The city’s three original parklets will be returned to downtown that day – in front of Grounds for Thought, Juniper Brewing Company/Waddington Jewelers, and Kabob It – with more locations to follow in May.
“We are looking forward to enjoying the parklets again this summer. They are a great way to spend some time outside in Downtown BG,” said Kelly Wicks, owner of Grounds for Thought.
Parklets are being built by Ellen Fure Smith, artist and owner of Little Bare Furniture and Parklet Project member, with the assistance of faculty and staff in the School of Art’s Integrated Studio. New for the second season: BGSU students are helping to design and build this year’s parklets.
“We were excited to help – this is great, hands-on design and building experience for our students,” said Charles Kanwischer, the director of the School of Art. “I’m pleased that the School of Art could help the city and downtown merchants on this project, and we hope to be involved in many more.”
“Chris and I think it is an awesome partnership between the university and the city of Bowling Green. The students receive valuable experiential learning opportunities and the city is able to tap into the creativity and spirit of the BGSU students,” said Zach Tracy, owner of Juniper Brewing Company.
In addition to support from more than 70 individuals and local businesses, this year’s parklets are being funded by a $50,000 grant from T-Mobile’s Hometown Grant Program. Bowling Green was one of 25 communities nationwide to be awarded funds through that program.
“We can’t thank T-Mobile enough for investing in our community and supporting our efforts to strengthen Downtown BG,” said Jeff Dennis, member of the Parklet Project team and at-large member of Bowling Green City Council. “We’re also extremely fortunate to have such great community partners, especially BGSU. The amount of talent we have here in our community is incredible, and the parklets we’ll be installing this year will really showcase that.”
The Parklet Project is a fundraising effort launched in 2021 to help downtown businesses install the city’s first parklets. Anyone wanting to support future parklets can do so by sending a contribution to “Downtown Foundation, Inc. – Parklets” c/o Jeff Dennis, PO Box 406, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402 or visiting downtownbgohio.org/parklet-project.
Ellen Fure Smith, Kate Lochridge, Jason Woodcock, and Heather Hardin work on parklets at the BGSU School of Art’s Integrated Studio. (Photo by Katie Marie Photography.)
