By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Essential gear for people visiting Wintergarden Park this spring definitely includes boots.
“Wintergarden is a swamp,” said Natural Resources Coordinator Chris Gajewicz. “It’s wet and it’s going to be wet” for the foreseeable future.
“We live in a swamp,” Gajewicz reminded the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Board on Tuesday evening. And the bedrock and clay soil doesn’t drain well during wet springs. “We’re getting a lot of rain and it’s not going anywhere.”
Park programming is continuing despite the muddy conditions – so visitors are urged to wear their boots.
The front grassy area of Wintergarden Park has not been mowed yet this year since standing water has kept crews from cutting the grass, Gajewicz said.
The rainy weather added to the muddiness at the third annual Super Dash held on the obstacle course behind the community center. The muddy conditions didn’t keep more than 140 participants from joining in the event, according to recreation coordinator Ivan Kovacevic.
And the frequent rains this spring have not pushed construction off course for the new building in City Park, reported Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley.
“We all could do with a little less rain,” Otley said, but the project is still on track to be completed in 2020.
“We’re starting to get a lot more excitement from the public” as people see the construction in City Park, Otley said. “They’re chomping at the bit.”
So at the August park and rec board meeting, Otley suggested that the board discuss the rental costs for the new building in City Park.
“We’re replacing buildings that were extremely, extremely reasonable” to rent, she said of the now demolished Veterans Building and Girl Scout Building in City Park.
Rental costs for the new building should also be within reach of city residents, Otley said. “We do still want to make it so the people can easily afford it.”
The rental rates will have to be approved by City Council before going into effect. Otley predicted the new building will be ready for rental by fall of 2020.
Otley also reported that the city pool opened this past weekend. She gave a shout out to maintenance staff. “Getting the pool ready is a monumental task,” she said.
Also at the meeting:
- Gajewicz noted the changes taking place in Simpson Garden Park, including a new sand garden, removal of the stone and gravel at the amphitheater, and work on the children’s garden area.
- Mayor Dick Edwards complimented the parks and rec department for work at the “healing garden.”
- Kovacevic reported more than 70 people attended the Adult Egg Scramble, and more than 90 showed up for the employee health event in City Park.
- Gajewicz announced that an Eagle Scout candidate will be working to build a bluebird nesting box trail at the community center.
