The question of controlling the city’s deer population proved to be a targeted issue at Tuesday’s Park
Board meeting.
Member Linda Cubberly said some residents have expressed concerns to her about the number of deer sighted
in the city, and asked about the possibility of efforts to control the deer population.
It became clear during the discussion that the city is aware of the deer issue, but that trying to reduce
the population is not an option.
"We’ve explored this," said Mayor Dick Edwards, who attended the meeting. He indicated the
"outside estimate is that we have 40 (deer) in the city," but said an area representative of
the Ohio Department of Natural Resources said the city’s deer issue is not a major one.
Edwards did state that the city has not had a problem with the animals being struck by vehicles.
Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Grigore noted that, by law, the deer belong to the State of Ohio,
and the population is under their purview. Further, she said hunting the animals may only be done under
the aegis of the ODNR, and shooting projectiles in the city is not permitted.
One of the issues with deer in the city, she said, is that they "have no real natural
predators" in the area. Coyotes may bring down one or two, but residents frequently scare coyotes
off when they are seen. Potential disease or lack of food seem to be the only major issues that deer may
face.
"They’re not living just in the parks," said Grigore. "It’s not a parks problem. These
deer go everywhere. You have to think about the landscape around us. As houses get built, they get
pushed into tighter and tighter areas."
She said that dogs can be a good means to deter deer from properties.
"The worst thing a person can do is be out there feeding them," said Edwards, pointing out
that, despite that fact, residents still offer the animals food.
He said actions in some Ohio communities to thin their deer populations have not been popularity with
citizens. He described one effort in Cleveland, where deer herds were hunted and reduced, with the meat
– amounting to 700 pounds – given to a food bank.
"Even with that, doing all that goodness of helping people out, it was hugely controversial."

It was additionally noted that an attempt in previous years by the city of Perrysburg to hold a bow
hunting effort sparked an outcry, "and they didn’t take as many deer as they’d hoped to start out
with," said Grigore.
In other business, the board:
• Heard about the continuing demolition at the Ridge Street School property, which is to be finished by
the end of the month. City Council is slated to vote on purchasing the property at a special meeting
Thursday evening. There are ongoing plans to turn the site into a park.
Edwards expressed hopes that the school could be remembered via signage at the future park.
"I’m not talking about anything elaborate," he said.
Edwards additionally noted that, unlike the former Central Administration Building, "no time capsule
was to be found in the Ridge Street School building" during demolition.
• Heard that City Council is to hear an application to rezone land slated for an athletic complex on July
2. The site is located just south of the Community Center. Bidding on the site’s first phase is expected
to open next month. That phase would include a series of playing fields, which could be ready as early
as next spring.
• Heard that a connecting trail at the Black Swamp Preserve, near Kenwood School, was finished earlier
this month, but that a number of cars attempted to drive on the pathway shortly thereafter. Barricades
and signage have since been installed to prevent that. A boardwalk over a wetland area at the
forthcoming park is under construction.
• Approved a slate of updated board policies, including one allowing staff to take care of some
money-related customer service issues up to $100 at their own discretion.
"The idea is to send the customer away happy, try to solve their problems," said Grigore,
adding "it would fall to me to train the staff how to use the discretion that we’re giving
them."
• Approved a measure charging $3 per person for bus tours of 30 or more visiting city parks, such as
Simpson Garden Park. The fee had been $5; that amount now applies to bus tours under 30 people. It was
noted that the Bowling Green Convention and Visitor’s Bureau frequently brings bus tours through the
area, including local garden groups, and Simpson Garden has been a popular stop.
• Welcomed new member J.D. Pooley, who takes the place of Jodi Anderson, who was term-limited from the
board.
Members Jeff Crawford, Cale Hover, Monique Rosati, and Cheryl Windisch were absent.