- City:
- Bowling Green, OH
- Site Type:
- Parks and Recreation, Civic Facilities, Rock Walls, Shelters
- New Deal Agencies:
- Works Progress Administration (WPA), Work Relief Programs
- Started:
- 1935
- Quality of Information:
- Very Good
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
After the Wood County Fairgrounds were all but destroyed by a fire in the late 1920’s, the county sold the property to the City of Bowling Green for construction of a park. The park retains some features built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1935, including a stone shelter and a stone wall along the south border of the park – now Conneaut Street – that originally separated the park from the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad track. According to legend, the upright stones topping the wall were meant to keep hoboes from sitting on the wall while waiting for a train.
WPA participation is not commemorated by original plaques, but is recognized in signage erected by the city.
Source notes
“The WPA in Bowling Green City Park,” display board on the west side of the park, between NRHP Needle Hall and the WPA shelter.
“8 WPA Projects Approved For Wood County”, Wood County Republican, 29 Aug 1935, pg 1 col 3.
“14 WPA Projects Approved For Wood County”, Wood County Republican, 26 September 1935, pg 1 col 7.
Site originally submitted by Gina Logan on September 1, 2025.
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