News from BG: May 3, 2023
Arbor Day Foundation Names Bowling Green A Tree City USA for 43rd Year

The Arbor Day Foundation has named the City of Bowling Green a 2022 Tree City USA in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management. The city also received a Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating environmental improvement and higher level of tree care. This is the 43rd year Bowling Green has been recognized as a Tree City and the 29th time the city has received the Growth Award.  

Bowling Green achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.  

“Everyone benefits when elected officials, volunteers and committed citizens in communities like Bowling Green make smart investments in urban forests,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees bring shade to our homes and beauty to our neighborhoods, along with numerous economic, social and environmental benefits,” he said.

With the additional recognition of a Growth Award, Bowling Green has demonstrated their expediency towards building framework for sustainable urban forest management. A thriving urban forest offers many advantages to communities:

  • Trees help absorb the sounds of traffic in urban areas by 40%.
  • Neighborhoods with trees are seven to nine degrees cooler than those without.
  • Trees reduce energy costs up to 25% by shading buildings and protecting them from winter winds.
  • Homes with trees have higher property values.
  • Green space plays a major role in improving mental and physical health.
  • Planting and maintaining trees absorbs carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, mitigating the effects of climate change.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. 
May Brush Collection
Register Between May 1-8
The window to schedule a May Brush Collection will be open from May 1 to May 8. Residents may go online to register their address. Residents may also call 419-354-6227 to be added to the list of locations where crews will stop.

Collection is scheduled to begin on May 15. Those who do not call in or go online to register by May 8 will NOT be included on the collection route! This will be the second brush collection for the year. The next collection will be in September 2023.
Historic Self-Guided Walking Tour

The Historic Preservation Commission, the Wood County Museum, and the Wood County District Public Library are excited to celebrate May as National Historic Preservation Month. The month celebrates the nation's heritage through historic places. Preservation is about protecting the sites and structures that represent meaningful history to our community and future generations. The City's Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is excited to take this month to bring awareness to local buildings and the histories that have shaped them!  

The HPC is proud to have worked with several historic home/building owners to create the City's first Historic Self-Guided Walking Tour. 

Access the map to view each building’s history and photo. Start your self-guided tour from any point on the map, but beginning and ending in Downtown Bowling Green is recommended. Each participating property will also display a "History Lives Here" yard sign indicating their participation in the month-long tour, and a QR code to the map which explains the fascinating history of each building....Read Full Historic Preservation Release
Put A Lid On It!
Free Youth Bike Helmets

To help prevent injuries and save lives, the Bowling Green Bicycle Safety Commission is joining the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Ohio AAP) in a statewide effort to remind children to “Put a Lid on It!” during the month of May – Ohio Bike Helmet Safety Awareness Month. And, this month is not just for kids. Parents who model wearing their bike helmet increase the likelihood of a child wearing their helmet, so this month is not only to get children to wear their helmets, but also to allow them to see adults in all walks of life wearing their helmets proudly.  

Bicycle helmets will be going to children across Ohio this summer thanks to a continued partnership between the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio AAP. Bowling Green was one of several local communities to receive youth bike helmets for distribution. 

140 helmets will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Those in need of a youth helmet may pick one up at the Bowling Green Community Center during regular operating hours. Sizes and quantities are limited. Bicycle safety messages and directions for how to properly fit the helmet are included with each helmet.
Farmers Market
May 10 - Oct. 18

In conjunction with WLI's Bowling Green Farmers’ Market scheduled every Wednesday from May 10 to October 18, a portion of Clough Street will be closed to traffic and parking restrictions will occur.  

Each week at 3:30 pm, Clough Street, between Main Street and Prospect, will be closed to traffic. Additionally, parking within this section of Clough will be prohibited and access to City Parking Lot 2 will be restricted. All other entrances/exits to and from Lot 2 will remain open.  

Clough Street will open and parking will be reinstated at 7:00 pm each week.
2023 Summer Guide
The Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department is excited to release the 2023 Summer Youth Program Guide, which contains information on camps, sports, safety town, swim lessons, theater programs, and more.

Resident registration began on April 24th, and non-resident registration begins on May 8th. For questions or more information, please contact the Parks and Recreation Office at 419-354-6223.