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Bowling Green Township park creates good memories




Editor:

I attended the most recent Bowling Green Township Park Committee meeting. Attendance was sparse but that did not keep President Barb Wiseman from continuing forward on a positive course. This meeting was held in the park shelter house as a family party was going on in the park. It was a great opportunity to see first hand the fruits of all the efforts, past and present, to improve our park.

Adults were having conversations as children chattered and played on the recently installed grant-funded playground equipment. I could not help but to daydream into the past as the present day park committee members Barb and Suzann were working out details on the growing memorial brick and flagpole project spearheaded by volunteer Vickie Fogarty. I recall my first exposure to the park back in the 90’s from the positive promotion in the Brownsville Country Store and Post Office as Rosemary Clippinger’s enthusiasm was contagious.

Many community residents donated items and a rummage sale in the community building brought in more donations to generate park funds. I recall the article written about the late Trustee Walter Stewart, where he shared his dream of the township community park. Betty Stewart’s image is etched in my mind as she quietly planted beautiful flowers and faithfully weeded them in the park.

How many memories have been made in this park? I picture my own children swinging in toddler swings here as they are now at an age that they volunteer themselves. The committee noted a tree will soon be planted in Walter’s honor and several have contributed toward one of the commemorative bricks to be inscribed with the Stewart’s names.

A few years back, I had the honor of helping to plan the 2008 township and county bicentennial commemorations. Pastor Uppole held a touching special service. Scouts of all ages joined veterans of several wars as flags were retired and new ones unfurled. When the new flagpole and dedication bricks are placed, the service of scouts and veterans will be called upon again in our quaint little township park.

Back to the present, the small meeting continued as we all sat at a donated inscribed picnic table dedicated to members of the Smart family many years ago. Family members were now enjoying the wooden swing arbor fabricated and installed not long ago by past park committee member Steve Phillips.

There are so many giving volunteers from over the years like Steve that has gone unrecognized. I can think of no better way to thank a past volunteer, friend or family member than to purchase a brick with their name on it. The park committee meeting ended with a quick walk around, inspecting pieces of equipment and thinking through details of the growing positive memorial brick and flagpole project. The committee is pre-selling bricks for $50 each that will be custom engraved with whatever text the donator requests. I hope many residents will join this positive building movement, spreading good-will and honoring others one brick at a time. To get involved please contact Barb Wiseman at 787-1741

Jeff Chorpenning Bowling Green Township



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