By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Cinda Stutzman gets joy from seeing visitors explore the trails in Wintergarden Park. But on Earth Day, Tuesday, she reminded that neither plants nor animals should be added or subtracted from the woods.
Yes, morel mushrooms are delicious, but visitors are asked to leave them be. And no, pesky animals should not be dropped off in the park.
“This is a nature preserve – not a place to drop off mice or anything you want to get out of your house,” said Stutzman, the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation natural resources specialist.
Stutzman was one of the city parks staff to report on preparations for the busy season of the year to the BG Parks and Recreation Board on Tuesday.
Between now and the end of the school year, Wintergarden Park will host several class visits, as plans are made for summer camps for children, Stutzman said. Natural areas are being tended around the city’s solar field, the water treatment and wastewater treatment plants. And trails are being worked on behind the Bowling Green Community Center.
Mike Przysiecki, operations manager, said Simpson Garden Park is coming into bloom. Ongoing maintenance and repairs are underway, and facility rentals are picking up.
The dedication of the refreshed Children’s Garden will be held sometime in May. And ground will be broken soon for the outdoor pickleball courts at the community center.
Ivan Kovacevic, recreation coordinator, said the parks are gearing up for annual summer camps – including Safety Town, sports camps and nature camps.
And BG Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley listed the many ways the parks and rec system fulfills its mission to “enhance the quality of life through parks, programs and facilities.”
Otley cited the following numbers from 2024:
- More than 1,800 people attended the “Lunch in the Parks” programs.
- 279 youth attended the “Parents Night Out” events, allowing their parents to go out without the kids.
- 377 kids attended summer camps.
- 1,322 participated in youth sports.
- 25 adult volleyball teams competed.
- 2,378 kids participated in nature programs.
- 834 volunteer hours were invested in Wintergarden Park.
- 898 volunteer hours were spent in Simpson Garden Park.
- Shelter houses were rented 359 times.
- 1,946 Freeze Pops were sold at the pool concession stand, still costing just 25 cents a piece. If those frozen confections were lined up end to end, they would stretch taller than the Empire State Building, Otley said.
