By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
For all those people who have wanted to bond with nature – only to have nature call at an inopportune time – there is now a public restroom at Wintergarden Park.
No more using the port-a-pot. No more trying to get in the nature center on weekends, only to realize it’s locked.
There was no ceremonial flush Thursday afternoon, just a collective appreciation by those gathered for the ribbon cutting at the new “Building on Nature” project.
“We’ve been standing in line for a long time,” for this day, Bowling Green Mayor Dick Edwards said.
Among those at the grand opening were members of the Bowling Green High School cross country team.
“We run here every Thursday for the whole season,” coach Pat Carney said. “We’re going to use it more than most people.”
Since the runners often get muddy on the Wintergarden trails, they usually used the port-a-potties rather than track dirt through the nature center.
“They are very excited to have this facility,” Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley said of the team.
They aren’t alone. After the ribbon cutting ceremony, some park patrons peeked into the unisex restroom and expressed relief that they no longer had to rely on a port-a-potty. “Sometimes I’d run home because I didn’t want to use it,” one woman said.
Some walkers have asked if they can take their dogs in with them when they use the restroom.
“Yes, you can take the dog in,” said Cinda Stutzman, natural resources specialist with the park and rec department.
Next to the restroom is another feature that park patrons will find useful – a three purpose drinking fountain with spouts also for filling water bottles and one down low for dogs.
Garage and maintenance portion of new park building
While the public will no doubt appreciate the restroom portion of the new building, the park staff is pretty excited about the garage and maintenance area of the structure.
“I have running water, and I can turn around without falling down,” Stutzman said. “I feel like I’m in the lap of luxury.”
The building, which cost $113,000, is the first of a two-phase project at Wintergarden Park. The next phase will be remodeling inside the nature center.
Otley, who said 170 donations were received for the first phase, thanked the community for making the building possible. “They support parks and recreation,” she said of Bowling Green residents.
The old shed formerly used for maintenance at the park has been “recycled,” and is now being used for storage at the city’s athletic fields, Otley said.
