The Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce the development of trails through the most recent land acquisition to Wintergarden/St. John’s Nature Preserve.
The West Wintergarden Prairie trail will give public access to a habitat of plentiful tall grasses and flowers planted in 2007 as part of the Conservation Reserve Program. The additional 20 acres were recently purchased with grant and donation funds, the assistance of the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Foundation, and the support of the Black Swamp Conservancy.
The trail will be open and accessible starting on Friday, Oct. 1. The trail through this tallgrass habitat connects two wooded areas of the established preserve.
Access points to explore the West Wintergarden Prairie are located in the southwest corner of Wintergarden Woods and the northwest corner of Tucker Woods. Maps to assist with navigation are located at the information area of the Nature Center and at the access points.
A formal trail dedication will occur at 4 p.m. on Friday. A short program will be followed by a walk through the new addition led by City of Bowling Green naturalist staff. This drop-in event is open to the public. Participants are asked to gather in the southeast corner of the Wintergarden entrance lawn.
