By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Two old, failing buildings in City Park are destined for demolition.
Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley knows it will be tough for some local residents to lose the Veterans Building and the Girl Scout Building.
Anytime you tear down a building, some distant memories are stirred. Otley is expecting to hear comments like, “When I was 6, I came to a birthday party here and had a really good time.”
But the city is the steward of the park buildings. “We have to take care of it,” she said Tuesday evening during the monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board.
The aging buildings are not worth sinking renovation dollars into, Otley said. So Schorr Architects, of the Columbus area, is working on a concept plan that involves taking down both the Veterans and Girl Scout buildings and replacing them with one larger building with adequate space for programming, storage, ADA accessibility, air conditioning, and an attractive design that reflects the historic nature of the park.
The architects have taken note of the historic Needle Hall and stone wall in the park, Otley said.
“It’s really an amazing opportunity” to get a building that is efficient and aesthetically pleasing, she said.
Tim Stubbs, facilities coordinator for the park and recreation department, stressed that tearing down the two buildings near the entrance of the park has been discussed for several years.
“This is not new. It’s had a lot of thought put into it, and it’s the right thing to do,” he said. “We have to do something.”
The new building will be used for programming, and as a rental facility for a reasonable price, Otley said.
“We really like how this is shaping up,” she said.
The drawings for the new building are expected to be done in about two months. The conceptual drawings along with cost estimates will be presented to City Council and at public meetings, where the public will have a chance for input.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the board approved group rate discounts at the City Pool and Water Park for groups of 30 or more. Groups must call in advance, and will get one free admission for every 10 paid admissions.
“This is just another marketing tool we could use,” Otley said.
The pool sometimes sees large groups from family reunions in the park.
The board also learned that no progress has been made recently on the Rotary Nature Center in Wintergarden Park.
“To be honest, it’s a little bit frustrating,” Otley said.
Once the plans are complete, they will go before City Council for approval, then the project can go out for bid. It had been hoped the work would be completed this summer, but now it looks like it could be the end of next winter, Stubbs said.
Natural Resources Coordinator Chris Gajewicz reported on the value of volunteers in the city’s parks. Local residents volunteer countless hours in Wintergarden Park, and care for the flower beds in City Park and Simpson Garden Park.
After Recreation Coordinator Ivan Kovacevic reported on the success of the recent Monster Dash on the obstacle course by the community center, Gajewicz said Wintergarden Park is now featuring the annual “mosquito dash.”
“It will be lasting now until the first frost in October,” he said.
In other business, the board learned:
- The park foundation is working on setting up a Paypal account.
- Sidewalks are being installed at Carter Park to make the playgrounds and shelter houses accessible.
- A sidewalk along Wintergarden Road at Wintergarden/St. John’s Preserve is also planned to be completed soon.
- The Splash Pad creatures at city pool will be dedicated on June 7 at 1 p.m.
- A ribbon cutting will be held for the new fitness trail and equipment on June 21, at 4 p.m. The trail is in partnership with the parks and Wood County Hospital.
- Otley has been named to the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Board.
