By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
As kids, Mike Aspacher in center field and Tim Dunn at second base competed against each other at the old ballpark on South Mercer Road.
Decades later, the men worked as a team to make improvements to the BG Youth Baseball facility at Carter Park.
On Monday evening, Dunn, the president of the BG Youth Baseball League, came to Bowling Green City Council to thank Mayor Aspacher and city leaders for helping the league achieve its vision for the ballpark.
“I came to thank all of you,” Dunn said. “I hope you understand the impact.”
With the city’s help, Carter Park has a new lighting system and repaved parking area.
“Your generous contribution aligns with our mission of guiding, encouraging and supporting our youth as they strive for excellence in teamwork,” Dunn wrote in a letter to council. “I hope that you take great pride in our program as you are a vital reason for all of our successes and opportunities.”
The improvements have made the ballpark competitive with other such facilities in the region that host games, according to Dunn, who has volunteered with BG Youth Baseball for 49 years.
Aspacher talked about the value of the city’s partnership with the youth baseball program.
“It’s a long legacy of little league baseball in Bowling Green,” he said, adding that playing ball has created a “lotta great memories.”
The organization is made up of volunteer board members, who spend hundreds of hours each summer on the program, the mayor said. They are joined by community members who staff the concession stand and maintain the grounds.
“It’s an outstanding opportunity for kids to learn the game of baseball,” Aspacher said. “I’m proud the city supports the program out there.”
In other business at Monday’s meeting, it was announced that the city’s Community Development Director Martha Woelke was retiring at the end of the year. She was hired by the city in September of 2021 after a long banking career in the community.
Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter praised Woelke for being professional, responsible and responsive to the public.
“You truly made a difference in your time here,” Tretter said to Woelke.
Also at the meeting, Kathleen Dennis invited the city administration, council and the public to attend a program planned by BG Save Our Neighborhoods Group. In partnership with BGSU’s School for the Built Environment, the program will look at how architecture can support new collective forms to address the need for diverse, affordable housing in the community.
The showcase is planned for Dec. 9, from 12 to 2 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 126 S. Church St. Students will be showing proposals for the former Sentinel-Tribune property on East Poe Road.
In other business, City Council was reminded that at 6 p.m., prior to the next council meeting on Dec. 15, a presentation will be made on the Main Street bike and pedestrian study.
