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, October 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 south west 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 4:00 PM on Friday, October 1. A short program will be followed by a walk through the new addition lead 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.

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine boosters have been approved for certain individuals at least six months after they receive the second dose of the two-dose Pfizer series:

This week, Wood County Health Department will begin calling eligible people who received the Pfizer vaccines through its clinics earlier this year to schedule appointments for boosters. In order to prioritize those who are most at risk, people who are 65 or older and received the Pfizer vaccine through the health department will be called first. Once this group has had the opportunity to schedule vaccine appointments, opportunities to receive boosters will be opened to other eligible individuals. People who have not yet received their first or second vaccine dose continue to be welcome at all Wood County Health Department vaccine clinics. Appointments may be scheduled in advance and walk-ins will be accepted based on availability.

Wood County Health Department’s October vaccine clinic schedule will be announced on Friday, Oct. 1, and boosters are available through many providers in Wood County. Go to woodcountyhealth.org and click on “Information on COVID-19 Vaccines” for a list of providers currently offering COVID-19 vaccines. Check back on Friday to find the full October clinic schedule.

All three COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. (Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson) continue to be highly effective in preventing serious illness. Federal officials have not yet published guidance about boosters for recipients of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

The mission of the Wood County Health Department is to prevent disease, promote healthy lifestyles and protect the health of everyone in Wood County. Our Community Health Center provides comprehensive medical services for men, women and children. We welcome all patients, including uninsured or underinsured clients, regardless of their ability to pay, and we accept most third-party insurance. For more information, visit woodcountyhealth.org.