Board of Directors and Members
Board of Directors
Jeff Dennis - Treasurer
jdennis@bgohio.org
Rose Drain
rose.drain@gmail.com
William Herald
williamjherald@gmail.com
Lona Leck - Secretary
lonaleck@gmail.com
Lee Liebetreu
LS.Wellington@gmail.com
Wendy Manning - President
wmannin@bgsu.edu
Tim Murnen
Melissa Schaffer
Brian Sullivan - Vice-President
At Large Members
Jo Ascunce
jo.ascunce47@gmail.com
Terri Brand
tbrand72@gmail.com
Kay Chapman
K9.chapman@gmail.com
Mary Dawson - Marketing
email@dawsondesigninc.com
Kristin Otley - BG Parks and Recreation
kotley@bgohio.org
Connor Rose
ConnorRoseRealtor@gmail.com
Suzanne Swoap
brownsm@bgsu.edu
Committees
Finance and Fundraising
Jo Ascunce
Terri Brand
Jeff Dennis
Terri Dudek
Membership
Lee Liebetreu
Lona Leck
Tim Murnen
Operations and Maintenance
Melissa Shaffer
Brian Sullivan
Public Relations, Education, Outreach
Jo Ascunce
Rose Drain
Committee Charter
The intent of the following sections is to provide an explanation and way forward for researching the addition of a dog park in Bowling Green.
MOTIVATION
There is great interest in adding another dog park in Bowling Green.
The city of Bowling Green’s Park and Recreation Department and the Parks & Recreation Board both currently have heavy workloads and responsibilities.
Because of the need for a dog park and the Parks & Recreation organizations’ workload, it has been determined that the creation of an ad hoc, potentially temporary, committee to handle the research will help all parties and will move the project forward.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Dog Park Committee is to conduct the research needed to fashion a recommended proposal to add a dog park to serve the citizens of Bowling Green. The proposal will then be presented to the city of Bowling Green (e.g., Park & Recreation Board and/or City Council).
RESEARCH
Factors to include in the research and resulting recommendation will include:
(a) Funding, including potential use of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds;
(b) Location, for example in a current park or existing city land;
(c) Impact on current facilities and mission, especially if location is in a current park;
(d) Impact on current staffing and other city resources;
(e) Potential partnerships with citizens and/or organizations;
(f) Maintenance plan for dog park;
(g) Liability issues;
(h) Membership options.
TIMING
There are at least five target milestones:
1. Advocating for designation of a prescribed amount of ARPA funds for potential use in setting up (not maintaining), the dog park;
2. Producing the recommendations and presenting the resulting document to the city;
3. Having the city consider, possibly revise, and ultimately adopt recommendations;
4. Implementing the recommendations resulting in an additional dog park in B.G.;
5. Maintaining the dog park.
COMMITTEE
The Dog Park Committee will consist of at least seven members. Membership will include:
* A citizen from each quadrant of the city (NW, NE, SE, SW);
* A volunteer representative from Bowling Green City Council;
* A representative from the Parks & Recreation Board (if there is interest);
If, for some reason, any of the slots cannot be filled, other interested citizens will be found to fill the membership on the Committee.
The Committee will be autonomous from the city and will establish its own governance rules. However, open meetings will be encouraged. Although it would be ideal for a member of the Parks & Recreation Department to be on the Committee; regardless of membership close communication with the Parks & Recreation Department is very strongly encouraged.
Committee Meeting and Activity Schedule
4/13/24 - Board Meeting - First Presbyterian Church (126 S. Church St. BG) - 12 Noon
4/13/24 - Outreach Event - BGSU 5K and Dog Walk - BGSU Student Recreation Center (1411 Ridge Street, BG) - 10 AM
3/18/24 - Public Meeting - Bowling Green City Council Chambers, 305 North Main Street, BG - 6 PM
3/9/24 - Board Meeting - First Presbyterian Church (126 S. Church St. BG) - 10 AM
2/4/24 - Board Meeting - Private Residence - 3 PM - Minutes
1/13/24 - Board Meeting -
12/9/23 - Committee Meeting - First Presbyterian Church (126 S. Church Street, BG) - 10 AM
12/9/23 - Pet Photos with Mrs. Claus and Santa - Ace Hardware (Downtown Bowling Green)
The "Dog Raffle Basket" was won by Peggy Boren! Peggy takes home goodies valued at $150 for their furry friend, Harry!
The "Cat Raffle Basket" was won by Raye Ohl! Raye's cat will enjoy lots of fun items to make their holiday bright!!
Thank you to ALL who donated to this fun event!!
11/11/22 - Committee Meeting - First Presbyterian Church (126 S. Church Street, BG) - 10 AM
10/14/23 - Committee Meeting - Juniper Brewing (Downtown Bowling Green) - 10 AM
9/9/23- Committee Meeting - Juniper Brewing (Downtown Bowling Green) - 10 AM
8/12/23 - Committee Meeting - Juniper Brewing (Downtown Bowling Green) - 10 AM
7/15/23 - Committee Meeting - Juniper Brewing (Downtown Bowling Green) - 10 AM
6/3/23 - Committee Meeting - Juniper Brewing (Downtown Bowling Green) - 6:30 PM
5/13/23 - Committee Meeting - Juniper Brewing (Downtown Bowling Green) - 10 AM
4/15/23 - Committee Meeting - Juniper Brewing (Downtown Bowling Green) - 10 AM
3/11/23 - Committee Meeting - Juniper Brewing (Downtown Bowling Green) - 10 AM
2/11/23 - Committee Meeting - Junper Brewing (Downtown Bowling Green) - 10 AM
1/14/23 - Committee Meeting - Junper Brewing (Downtown Bowling Green) - 10 AM
12/10/22 - Committee Meeting - Juniper Brewing (Downtown Bowling Green) - 10 AM
11/12/22 - Committee Meeting - Juniper Brewing (Downtown Bowling Green) - 10 AM
10/15/22 - Committee Meeting - Juniper Brewing (Downtown Bowling Green) - 10 AM
9/10/22 - Committee Meeting - Grounds for Thought (Downtown Bowling Green) - 10 AM
8/25/22 - Committee Meeting - Private Residence - 7 PM
8/11/22 - Committee Meeting - Wintergarden Park Nature Center
7/29/2022 - Committee Meeting - BG City Park Stone Shelter - 4:30 PM
7/15/2022 - Committee Meeting - BG City Park Stone Shelter - 4:30 PM
6/30/2022 - Committee Meeting - Private Residence
5/17/2022 - Committee Meeting - Private Residence
4/28/2022 - Committee Meeting - 7 PM
4/6/2022 - Committee Meeting - 9 AM
Related Meetings and Activities
9/15/22 - BG City Council Meeting - 6 PM
At this meeting, Bowling Green City Council divvied up close to $2 million in COVID relief funds. $150,000 was allocated to go toward establishing walkable dog parks closer to city neighborhoods. This funding will help the citizens group pushing for the dog parks to secure matching grants.
5/12/2022 - BG City Council ARPA Form - 6 PM
At this meeting, City Council heard from various individuals and community groups on how the remaining $3 million of our community's American Rescue Plan Act funds should be invested. Council asked community groups to come and make a pitch for how they could use this funding. No decisions were made and no funding was be awarded that evening. Citizens for BG Dog Parks presented a PROPOSAL during this forum and submitted final information prior to Council's May 30 deadline. Read the BG Independent Media article summarizing the presentations.
5/2/2022 - BG City Council Meeting - 7 PM
5/2/2022 - BG Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Meeting - 6 PM