News from BG: May 18, 2022
NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 2021
Honoring and Remembering our Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

Again this year, communities across the United States will honor and remember those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends and fellow officers they left behind.

HISTORY
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The Memorial Service began in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement. Decades later, the event, more commonly known as National Police Week, has grown to a series of events which attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to our Nation's Capital each year.
Historic Preservation Month
Continues through May

The Wood County Courthouse and Jail was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 25, 1974, and completed in 1896 to serve as the county seat of government for Wood County. The earlier brick courthouse was demolished in 1893, and in 1894 the cornerstone was laid for the Richardsonian Romanesque sandstone and granite building with elaborate carvings.  During the approximately two years of construction, the temporary courthouse location was the current Police Building at 175 West Wooster Street. The cost of the new courthouse building was estimated at $256,000.

The 195-foot tall tower is noted for its clock hands that reach 16 feet across. The inside of the building is just as beautiful as the exterior of the ornate building. The interior of this building features stained glass, elaborate moldings, decorative elements, and murals featuring Wood County oil fields and Fort Meigs. A smaller building was constructed to the northwest of the courthouse to serve as the county jail and sheriff's residence in 1902. It cost an estimated $50,000. The building was converted into a records center and law library for the county and is a monumental feature of the City of Bowling Green. The tower can be seen, like a beacon, in nearly any spot in the City. The building also houses several key County government offices. 
Plans Underway for 4th of July Weekend Celebration

To celebrate Independence Day, the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce (BGCC), Visit BG Ohio (VBGO), and the Wood County Agriculture Society (WCAS) are working collaboratively on a weekend of fun activities for the community.  Each of these organizations has their specific roles in making this an exciting event and look to provide opportunities for others to get involved too.

The BGCC will once again organize and fundraise for the Annual Fireworks display on July 3rd. The display will be launched in a secured area within the National Tractor Pulling Championships property.  

VBGO will organize a festival from 4 – 9 pm with inflatables and festival games from 4 – 9 pm which will be free to anyone who would like to participate.

The BGCC and VBGO will promote their events together for July 3rd as BG BOOM Festival and Fireworks. 
 
The WCAS will be promoting their event as the All-American Celebration. They will be organizing camping for the holiday weekend, family yard games and the food trucks...Read full 4th of July Release
$1.2 Million to Construct Shared Use Path

Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Dr. Jack Marchbanks announced last week that ODOT will invest $51 million into new traffic safety improvement projects to specifically address an increase in pedestrian-involved traffic crashes and fatal roadway departures on state and local roads.

The City of Bowling Green’s Highway Safety Improvement Program application was selected for funding, securing $1.2 million for a shared use path to connect the Community Center with the Bowling Green High School and Cogan’s Crossing, functioning as a link to residential roads and neighborhoods. A shared use path provides a travel area separate from motorized traffic for bicyclists, pedestrians, skaters, wheelchair users, joggers, and other users. The 10-foot wide shared use path will further the City’s complete streets efforts and will build infrastructure identified as a route on both TMACOG’s 2045 On the Move Update and the designated U.S. Bike Route 25 through Bowling Green.

ODOT will release the funding to the City over the next three years, covering 90% of the cost of this project. The phases of the project will include design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction. The goal is to have the project completed by the end of 2026.
2022 Summer Guide Available Now
We are all looking forward to a more “normal” summer this year and we are excited to announce that all of your favorite programs have returned for summer 2022, along with some new options. We are happy to release the 2022 Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Summer Guide, which contains information on camps, sports, safety town, swim lessons and much more.

Resident registration began on April 25 and non-resident registration began on May 9.

For questions or more information contact the Parks and Recreation Office at 419-354-6223, or visit www.bgohio.org.
We Are Hiring!

The City of Bowling Green is currently accepting applications for several open positions. Interested applicants may review current Job Postings and the Application Process on the City's website.

Contact the Human Resources Department if additional assistance is required.
Friday Birding Series at Wintergarden/St. John's Nature Preserve 

Bowling Green Parks and Recreation is excited to offer Friday Morning Birding at Wintergarden/ St. John’s Nature Preserve with Chris Gajewicz. This series will run from Friday April 8th until May 27th, 2022. Adults 18 and older and birders of all ability levels are welcome to meet at Wintergarden/ St. John’s Nature Preserve on Fridays at 7:30 AM. Binoculars and field guides are available for those who do not have their own. Hikes will last a minimum of one hour, but could last longer based on sightings and bird activity.