Parks and the outdoors in Bowling Green

13 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Bowling Green.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
Art Walk
Stroll through the historic downtown and visit the many galleries and exhibitions featuring visual and performing arts from all ages. Artists' demonstrations, family activities and performances continue throughout the day. Has a raffle with prizes.
Annual event held the last Sat in AprilFree
Do
Black Swamp Arts Festival
BSAF
Bowling Green's local artists come and share their work with the community to help celebrate the arts. Fine arts and crafts throughout the Downtown area. Children's activities, live music, demonstrations, and various art events all weekend.
Annually in early September - Fri 5PM-midnight, Sat 10AM-midnight, Sun 11AM-5PMFree. Parking shuttle may require cash, but it is possible to park and walk for free
Do
Black Swamp Preserve
A nature preserve connected to the Slippery Elm Trail. Has restrooms, a water fountain, resting areas, a bike repair stand, gardens, and descriptions of local wildlife on an educational board.
8AM-duskFree
Do
Carter Park
Has a baseball complex, softball complex, volleyball courts, Disk Golf, picnic shelters, and a natural area. One of the largest parks in Bowling Green by size.
Free
Do
City Park
City Park features the city pool and waterpark, skate park, rollerskating rink, the historic Needle Hall, and golf course at the adjacent country club. The waterpark includes a waterslide, lazy river, diving boards, and splash playground.
Free
Do
STEM in the Park
Wood County Air Fair
Annual event to promote science, technology, engineering, and math to youth. Exhibits include robotics, food science, digital media, water science, and demos from Toledo institutions such as the Toledo Zoo and Imagination Station. Features live music with local bands. Operates jointly with the Wood County Air Fair, which showcases and flies current and historical aircraft, helicopters, hot air balloons, and rockets.
late SeptemberFree
Do
Simpson Sensory and Children's Garden Park
Simpson Garden Park
A park with a variety of plants and artistic structures. The park includes a healing garden, a children's park, and a Japanese garden. Golf cart tours are available.
Free
Eat
Social House
Formerly known as The Oaks
An on-campus all-you-care-to-eat dining hall. Has a specialty vegan section, a salad bar, and a rotating menu. Dining services often holds themed dinners and events here, particularly those featuring named chefs or Tailgate Thursdays during the football season. The building is notable for a futuristic barn-like architecture, its side awning solar panels, a modest garden on the roof, hydroponics for growing food indoors, and a water reclamation system that processes rainwater. Outside the all-you-can-eat portion is a coffee and doughnut shop, an event kitchen on the first floor.
9AM-9PM$7-10
Do
Thurston State Park
Mary Jane Thurston State Park
Offers hiking, hunting, fishing, and boating along the Maumee River.
See
Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and Museum
TLEW
The museum is re-opening soon after renovations but they offer motorcar train rides that overlook that Maumee River Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 5 pm which can be found here. Check website for availability.
June-October: the first and 3rd Sat of the month noon-4PMFree (donations appreciated), train rides: $6/adults, $4/kids 3-12
See
Wood County Museum
Wood County Historical Society
The Wood County Historical Center and Museum is the original site of the Wood County Infirmary, which was in operation from 1869 to 1971. The site re-opened as an Historical Center & Museum in 1975, and has rotating exhibits and self-guided tours inside, plus a public park outside with trails, picnic tables, herb garden, and original out-buildings. The Historical Center also hosts a variety of educational experiences and public events throughout the year.
Mon-Fri 9:30AM-4:30PM, Sat Sun 1-4PM$5 adult, $1 child (10 or under)
Do
Bradner Preserve
The largest county park in Wood County.
Do
William Henry Harrison Park
A nice park along the Portage River in Pemberville.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Bowling Green (CC BY-SA 4.0).