The upcoming year has some exciting developments in store for the Simpson visitor. The sensory garden is already under development. The Master Gardener volunteers have been meeting to design this unique garden around the five senses. The garden will be built in 2008 to the south of the Children’s Discovery Garden between the Simpson Building and Wintergarden Road.

An entrance garden will also be built along the south side of the Wintergarden Road entrance to the parking area. This garden came about as a result of a contest sponsored by the Sentinel-Tribune and bids will go out once the winning design has been announced; construction will begin soon after.

Other less noticeable projects, but necessary nonetheless, include the addition of french drains to areas along the trails that continually wash out during heavy rains, construction of retaining walls along those same trail areas, additional irrigation, and major soil amendments for the upcoming shade garden. This winter, clearing will begin on the fencerow on the south boundary of the park. This area was surveyed late this fall to identify the park property line allowing staff to plan for developments along that border. Dead trees and limbs will be removed and the ancient cattle fence and six inch iron posts will be extracted.

For more information on the Simpson Garden Park campaign and recognition opportunities, call Rachel Blickensderfer at 419-354-6297. Or, visit the Parks and Recreation Administration Office in the Simpson Building at 1291 Conneaut Avenue. Together, Bowling Green will grow “Another Shade of Green” at Simpson Garden Park.