City of Bloomington, Indiana 2025 Annual Report

Message from the Director

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our staff members, volunteers, and community, Bloomington Parks and Recreation enjoyed a great year in 2025 as we helped our community explore, play, and connect.

We celebrated the grand opening of Hopewell Commons in April, and look forward to the park becoming the anchor of Bloomington’s newest core neighborhood in the years to come. Just across the street, ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds helped us complete accessibility improvements at Building Trades Park to serve current and future neighbors. Our investments in accessibility didn’t end there–we also purchased a new accessible mini-bus for our programs, installed new pushbutton doors on facilities, improved the Rail Trail crossing of Rogers Street, and installed a new tactile map at Switchyard Park. The tactile map helps users of all abilities understand their surroundings.

The Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market saw an increase in attendance, vendors, and social media impact, with total attendance over 120,000. The Market remains the heartbeat of Saturday mornings downtown and one of the Department’s most recognizable programs. Meanwhile, our sports and recreation programs and facilities continue to provide important opportunities for health, recreation, and connection to our residents.

Our Department also affirmed our commitment to excellence by becoming one of the first agencies in the nation to be accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association’s new beta accreditation standards.

Bloomington Parks and Recreation has been continually accredited since 2001, and we remain one of just three accredited parks and recreation agencies in the state.

While we enjoyed celebrating these successes, we are also busy planning for a future with uncertain funding, aging facilities, and complex community needs. During 2025, staff worked diligently to complete financial sustainability training while gathering input from the community on our 2026-2030 master plan, which will guide our investments and decisions this year and beyond as we seek to make Bloomington a better place to live – for everyone.

Tim Street Director

TMessage from the Mayor

o everyone who lives in, loves, or visits Bloomington, Bloomington first introduced itself to me from the seat of a bicycle.

I rolled into town during a cross-country ride, expecting a place to rest before the next stretch of road. Instead, Bloomington gave me shade, energy, curiosity, kindness, and the unmistakable feeling that something meaningful could grow here. I came looking for a stop, but I found a home.

Our parks extend that same invitation every day. They welcome the early morning walker, the child testing courage on a playground, the teen finding confidence on a pickleball court, the family gathering under a shelter, the neighbor discovering a new trail, and the artist, athlete, gardener, volunteer, and dreamer looking for space to begin.

Partnerships

The Parks and Recreation Department entered into 30 partnership and cooperative service agreements in 2025 to maximize available resources and avoid duplication of services.

• Aerialogy Fitness

• Alicia Graves

• Area 10 Agency on Aging Endwright East Active Living Community Center

• Bloomington Football Club

• Bloomington Junior League Baseball Association

• Bloomington North High School

Our Parks and Recreation team builds the everyday infrastructure of belonging, health, creativity, and joy. They plant trees that will shade future generations. They care for trails that connect neighborhoods. They design programs that bring people from across the globe together with those around the corner. They create places where residents can move their bodies, meet their neighbors, try something new, and unlock a fuller version of life in Bloomington.

Let this report serve as an invitation to rediscover the city around you. Bloomington’s parks, trails, programs, and public spaces offer countless ways to take part in community life—whether you come to play, rest, gather, volunteer, learn, celebrate, or simply enjoy the beauty of where we live.

In community and in nature,

Mayor Kerry Thomson

• Bloomington Pickleball Club

• Bloomington Soccer LLC

• Bloomington Winter Farmers’ Market

• Cancer Support Community

• CanopyBloomington

• Cicada Cinema

• Downtown Bloomington Inc.

• Edgewood High School

• Get Out Bloomington

• Indiana University Bloomington Urban Forestry Research Group

• Lake Monroe Sailing Association

• Macros and Nutrition of Bloomington

• Mad 4 My Dog

• Monroe County Civic Theater

• Monroe County Fair Association

• Monroe County History Center

• Monroe County Parks and Recreation

• Monroe County Senior League Baseball Association

• Monroe County United Ministries Pathways

• Special Olympics Indiana-Monroe County

• Summer Star Foundation for Nature, Art and Humanity

• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

• WonderLab Science Museum

• Visit Bloomington

City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation

Program Participation

Condensed Financial Summary*

City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation for the year ended December 31,

Operations & Development

The Operations Division is responsible for maintenance, security, sanitation, capital improvements, planning, construction, and development of all City parks and natural areas, facilities, trails, and greenways. It is also responsible for beautification of parks and public areas, including landscaping, the administration and maintenance of Rose Hill & White Oak Cemeteries, and urban forestry. This Division is responsible for the establishment, management, and enhancement of City-owned natural resources properties including Griffy Lake Nature Preserve, Wapehani Mountain Bike Park and Leonard Springs Nature Park. Operations staff offer outdoor recreational, educational, and volunteer opportunities.

• Responded to more than 384 graffiti incidents across 32 parks and trail locations, typically within 48 hours.

• Safely collected and disposed of approximately 4,500 used syringes citywide.

• Tracked 1,000 total work orders in CityWorks, Parks and Recreation’s GIS-centric computerized maintenance management system.

• Constructed a new, gazebo-style picnic shelter at Building Trades Park.

• Assembled temporary pickleball courts at Hopewell Commons.

• Completed major infrastructure improvements including playground resurfacing, asphalt and walkway repairs, shelter roof replacements, a new kiosk at Crestmont Park, and facility upgrades.

• Converted lighting to energy-efficient LED at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center, Switchyard Park Maintenance Building, and Rose Hill Cemetery.

• Invested in motor vehicle and maintenance equipment with a new dump truck, two electric snow-throwers, and three snow plow attachments, while coordinating with other areas of the Department to share vehicles and support snow removal efforts.

• Conducted large-scale cleanup of an encampment at Browns Woods, and improved site access by constructing a land bridge and access road to aid in future cleanup and management efforts.

New picnic shelter, tables, and concrete walkway at Building Trades Park. The old picnic shelter was in disrepair, and was demolished.

• Purchased a third Mean Green battery-powered, zero-turn mower, advancing the transition to cleaner, quieter equipment.

• Operations Coordinator Amy Leyenbeck made significant updates to cemetery policies and procedures.

Urban Forestry Urban Greenspace

• Planted more than 750 trees, and recorded an 80% survival rate.

• Received a $50,000 State Urban Forest Resilience (SUFR) grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to evaluate and protect ash trees from the ongoing impacts of the invasive emerald ash borer beetle.

• Launched the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) initiative, funded by the City of Bloomington Economic and Sustainable Development Department, to help qualifying homeowners remove or prune hazardous trees and plant new ones. A total of 15 applicants were awarded nearly $44,000.

• Collaborated with City departments, Indiana University, the Tree Commission and members of the private tree care industry to draft an Urban Forest Master Plan.

Urban Forestry crews remove a hazardous tree at the Lions Den Shelter in August.

• Bryan Park was designated a Level 1 Accredited Arboreta by ArbNet, a community of arboreta and tree professionals.

• At least two EF-2 tornadoes struck Monroe County on May 16, causing significant tree damage. Urban Forestry implemented multiple storm response and recovery operations for several weeks afterward.

• Celebrated Arbor Day and Bloomington’s Tree City USA designation with a ceremony and volunteer tree planting at Olcott Park on April 25.

• Purchased a Greenworks battery-powered UTV (Utility Task Vehicle) for use by the landscaping team.

• Relocated the Operations landscaping team and Urban Greenspace Manager to the Switchyard Park Maintenance Building to improve operational efficiency and coordination.

• Collaborated with the City of Bloomington Environmental Commission and community partners to achieve Bee City USA certification for Bloomington.

• Partnered with the Department of Public Works and contracted with Nature’s Way to re-plant and maintain 14 planters on the Monroe County Courthouse lawn.

• Converted, or made plans to convert, 14 landscape planters on Kirkwood Avenue from native plants and flowers to tree plots.

Natural Resources

• Contractor Fire Dawgs disassembled and removed the decommissioned stairs at the north end of the Griffy Lake dam. The stairs provided access to the North Shore trails prior to the construction of the new dam stairs and official hiking trail across the dam, but were no longer needed and were in disrepair.

• Contracted with Aquatic Control to create and update aquatic vegetation management plans, and to treat invasive Eurasian watermilfoil, at Griffy Lake. Funding for an aquatic vegetation survey, management plan update, and invasive plant treatment was provided in part by a Lake and River Enhancement (L.A.R.E.) grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife.

• Spent $2,000 to replace a leaking skylight in the comfort station at the Griffy Lake boathouse.

• Co-hosted BugFest at Monroe County Parks and Recreation’s Karst Farm Park on Sept. 13.

• Twenty-six deer were removed from Griffy Lake Nature Preserve by hunters who applied and were selected to participate in a controlled hunt over two weekends in November.

Natural Resources 2025 Program Activity

Adopt-A Programs

Adopt-A-Stream

Adopt-A-Trail 9 volunteers contributed 94 hours

Adopt-A-Greenspace 51 volunteers contributed 1,880 hours The Headley Road entrance

Sports

The Sports Division is responsible for providing formal and informal sports programs and services for the adults and youth of our community. These activities are provided at Department facilities such as Cascades Golf Course, Frank Southern Ice Arena, Twin Lakes Sports Park, and Winslow Sports Complex.

quatics

The Aquatics program plans, coordinates, and facilitates recreational swimming, formal lessons, private rentals, special group use, and advanced aquatic and personal safety training for the Bloomington community and its visitors.

Aquatics 2025 Program Activity

• The City of Bloomington Economic & Sustainable Development Department sponsored Stay Cool Bloomington Days, providing free admission to the pools when the National Weather Service HeatRisk category was rated a “2” or higher on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. From June 20-July 27, Bloomington experienced a total of 17 qualifying days. Total cost for Stay Cool Bloomington Days at City pools in 2025 was $78,246 for 16,881 people.

Season Passes & Economy Punch Passes

Season Passes 153

20-Punch Economy Passes 303

Adult Sports plans, coordinates, and facilitates adult sports for the Bloomington community at Twin Lakes Sports Park and City tennis and pickleball courts.

• Parks and Recreation hosted Open Swim Day with free admission to both pools on the Fourth of July. Bryan Park Pool saw 1,313 visitors, while an additional 275 people visited Mills Pool. • Pool fee waivers were provided to 529 children and 213 accompanying adults in 2025.

Youth Sports

Youth Sports plans, coordinates, and facilitates operations for Winslow Sports Complex, Frank Southern Ice Arena, and Rev. Butler and Bryan Park ball diamonds. These facilities host Bloomington Junior League Baseball, Monroe County Senior League Baseball, and MCCSC baseball and softball events.

Olcott Park

Frisbee 897

(Olcott Park) 3,510 Rentals (Winslow Sports Complex) 5,788

Youth Softball/Baseball Tournament (Twin Lakes Sports Park) 26,080

Youth Softball/Baseball Tournament (Winslow Sports Complex) 17,638

Total 2025 Participations 97,698

Southern Ice Arena

Frank Southern Ice Arena 2025 Program Activity

• Public skating admissions dropped by more than 55%, from 12,046 in 2024 to 5,334 in 2025.

Twin Lakes Recreation Center

• Member participations increased by 20% from 72,943 in 2024 to 94,241 in 2025.

• Participation in daily pickleball play increased 29% from 12,790 in 2024 to 16,153 in 2025.

• The Twin Lakes Recreation Center earned $197,866 for facility rentals in 2025, a 4.7% increase over 2024.

• A new multi-station machine that allows a variety of exercises including tricep extensions, lat pulldowns, seated rows, shoulder press and more was added to the third floor weight room in August.

The Twin Lakes Recreation Center, a 100,000 ft2 indoor sports, recreation, and fitness facility, was purchased by the department in 2009. Amenities include five basketball courts, a turf field, a fitness area with strength equipment and free weights, a cardio studio, a mirrored exercise studio, 1/5-mile indoor track, and meeting rooms. The department offers programs, through the TLRC and other facilities, that help make Bloomington a healthy, active community.

Cascades Golf Course has the objective of maximizing public play with a balance of leagues, tournaments, youth programs, and golf outings. Youth programs include the First Tee of Bloomington and the PGA Junior League.

Golf Services 2025 Program

• Cascades Golf Course clubhouse was rented 93 times in 2025.

• Hosted the Bloomington Parks Foundation annual Don Brineman Memorial Golf Scramble Aug. 27.

• Hosted the annual City Tournament in June and July, with 112 golfers playing in match play.

Solar panels installed on the Cascades Golf Course pro shop and clubhouse in 2024 continue to generate clean energy and help the Parks and Recreation Department meet its sustainability goals.

R ecreation

The Recreation Services Division is responsible for programs, events, and services specially designed for preschoolers, youth, teens, adults, senior adults, and participants with varying degrees of ability. These activities are held at Department facilities such as the Allison-Jukebox Community Center, Banneker Community Center, Switchyard Park, and Showers Common. A number of programs are facilitated through partnership agreements with other community organizations.

Youth Programs

Allison-Jukebox

Community Center

• A new pantry was added to the kitchen to securely store snacks for Kid City campers.

Youth Programs is responsible for programs and services designed for youth. These activities take place at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center and satellite sites. Youth Programs also includes the Inclusive Recreation program area. The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is committed to an inclusive approach to recreation.

• The Allison-Jukebox Community Center hosted Parks and Recreation programs and a variety of private rental groups, including the American Camp Association and the Bloomington Afterschool Network. Allison-Jukebox recorded 2,900 rental participations and more than $6,800 in rental revenue.

Youth Programs

• Kid City Summer Camp was re-accredited by the American Camp Association. Kid City is one of only three summer camps in Bloomington to earn this mark of distinction.

• Kid City Original served 94 unique campers in grades K through 4 for nine weeks of summer camp that included field trips, swimming at Bryan Park and Mills Pools, and visits to Bloomington Parks and Recreation playgrounds.

• Kid City Quest served 32 unique campers in grades 5 through 7 for nine weeks of summer camp.

• The Kid City Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program operated for six weeks with 10 campers. CITs learned leadership skills and implemented “CIT Funtime” with Original and Quest.

• Hosted Kid City Parent Night Out for 12 campers and an Overnight with 19 campers.

Inclusive Recreation

• Collaborated with the City’s Community and Family Resources Department to test BlueDAG accessibility assessment software.

• Kid City accommodated 12 campers in nine weeks of summer camp.

• Represented the Parks and Recreation Department on the Council for Community Accessibility, a volunteer group that advocates for the interests of people with disabilities.

Youth Programs/Inclusion 2025 Program Activity

C ommunity Events

The Community Events program area provides an eclectic mix of cultural and outdoor activities and year-round events to provide enjoyment, education, and a sense of community for the diversity of people who make Bloomington their home. Special events and programs, art fairs, Performing Arts Series, Movies in the Park, Farmers’ Market, Community Gardens, Touch a Truck, and the Holiday Market are examples of the variety of programs and projects Community Events offers to the Bloomington community.

• The Farmers’ Market expanded Youth Day at the Market, a day for youth artists, growers and entrepreneurs to set up their own booths alongside regular Market vendors, to two different days, and added a Youth Day at Food Truck Friday. A total of 86 youth set up booths at the three different Youth Days.

• Hosted outdoor escape room “Escape from Oz” with partner Get Out Bloomington over two weekends in June. A total of 28 teams followed the yellow brick road in the quirky land of Oz!

• New events in 2025 included Rainbow Rink Skate Night, held June 22 at the Frank Southern Center. Since there was no ice during the summer months, the 30 attendees brought their own roller skates, roller blades, scooters, skateboards and wheeled chairs to the event.

• The inaugural “Flights of Fancy: Kites and Bubbles in the Park” took place May 17 at Switchyard Park. Nearly 300 people took part in the event, flying their own kites or making and flying kites from provided kits.

• The Bloomington Pumpkin Launch on its 24th anniversary for the first time added launch device size classes to encourage participation by launch device builders. Six participating launch teams, double the number of teams from 2024, threw mini, small, and large pumpkins in competitions for distance and accuracy, while nearly 500 people took in the show.

• Bloomington Trivia Championship Series averaged 17 competing teams per each of the five Trivia nights at the Switchyard Park Pavilion, a 10% decrease over 2024.

• The Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market saw a 55% increase in attendance at the Saturday Farmers’ Market over 2024.

• The Tuesday Market moved from the plaza north of the Switchyard Park Pavilion to the new Hopewell Commons. Attendance at the Tuesday Market grew 67% over 2024, with more than 4,000 shoppers June through September.

•

• Installed a new chain link fence around the perimenter of Willie Streeter Community Gardens.

• Replaced five deteriorating raised garden beds at Willie Streeter Community Gardens, and expanded capacity with the addition of five new raised beds.

• Parks and Recreation hired Aaron Biggs in November as the Recreation Services General Manager to oversee the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market, the Community Gardening program, and the Health and Wellness program areas when former general manager Leslie Brinson was promoted to Recreation Division Director in August. Aaron graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Sport Management.

Community Events provide enjoyment, education, and a sense of community for the diversity of people who make Bloomington their home.

The Banneker Community Center is a Bloomington Parks and Recreation facility that is dedicated to inspiring youth to maximize their potential through safe and effective programming, and to providing programs and activities that connect the Bloomington community through a cultural and nutritional hub.

B anneker Community Center

• An initial $22,500 Historic Preservation Fund grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, awarded in 2024 to rehabilitate the upper limestone stairs at Banneker’s main entrance, grew to a total grant award of $60,000. Work on the stairs is scheduled for completion in 2026.

• More than 11,000 nutritious snacks, breakfasts, lunches and meals were made or delivered to children and families through partnerships between Banneker and the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC), Alpha Kappa Alpha, the Summer Food Service Program, and “This is That Church”, whose congregation served home-cooked meals weekly to members of the unhoused community.

• Banneker hosted meetings of several local community groups and organizations including the Indiana State Teachers Association, Monroe County Chapter of the NAACP, and Monroe County Foster Help.

• Eighty-four people attended the MLK Day Pancake Breakfast, which was served by Banneker staff with the help of 16 individual volunteers.

• Banneker’s Teen Room hosted a podcast studio for Parks and Recreation’s podcast, “Recreation Rendezvous”, which in June featured interviews with children attending Banneker Camp.

• “Oh, the Places We’ll Read!”, a Dr. Seuss literacy event held March 1, drew 14 attendees and four guest readers from the community.

• The first “Little Green Thumbs” preschool gardening program, developed by the Health and Wellness program area, took place in April with 13 children and their families participating.

• Attendees at Banneker Camp and the Banneker Afterschool programs attended enriching presentations by community organizations including Constellation Stage & Screen, the MCCSC “STEM to Them” mobile lab, USA International Harp Competition Harp Start Outreach, the IU African American Dance Company, Cedar Valley Forest School and Zeta Phi Beta

B uskirk-Chumley Theater

Top Renters in 2025 (by days of use)

IU African American Art Institute

IU Jacobs School of Music

Educational Theatre Association

Lotus Education & Arts Foundation

Motion Arts Dance Academy

Bloomington Symphony Orchestra

IU

Health and Wellness

The Health and Wellness program area provides opportunities through programs, events and partnerships to encourage physical activity, to communicate the benefits of healthy choices and to promote department resources that support healthy lifestyles.

• Hosted drop-in group fitness programs, both indoors and outdoors, at Switchyard Park. Offerings included tai chi, Pilates, ZUMBA and yoga.

• Offered “Rooted in Nature” forest bathing, a mindfulness practice that incorporates meditation and movement in nature to improve mental and physical health, in both the summer and fall.

• Continued “Walking with Ease,” a free walking progam funded by a grant from the Arthritis Foundation, and partnered with the Endwright East Active Living Community Center to offer indoor walking during the winter months.

• Partnered with Cancer Support Community to host a Paint the Town Pink breast cancer awareness walk at Switchyard Park.

S witchyard Park

Switchyard Park, a 65-acre former railroad switchyard on the city’s south side, was imagined over decades and developed over years as a destination park. Officially opened in 2019, the park includes amenities that appeal to a variety of active and passive park users, and features landscaping and facilities that focus on green initiatives.

• Switchyard Park generated $87,207 in rental revenue, an increase of 6.35% from 2024.

• Granted 27 Park Special Use Permits for use of park facilities.

• A total of 176 outdoor events were held at Switchyard Park, with an additional 154 events held inside the Pavilion.

• The city park system’s first tactile map was unveiled June 13 at Switchyard Park, marking a major step forward in making city parks more accessible and inclusive. The map is installed next to the Pavilion and the B-Line Trail, and is designed to assist visitors who are blind or have low vision navigate key areas of the 65-acre park.

• A 24’ x 24’ x 8’ storage shed was constructed near the HVAC enclosure on the south side of the Switchyard Park Pavilion. The new shed provides needed storage space for tables and chairs used for events at the Pavilion.

Switchyard Park 2025 Program Activity

Location intelligence and foot traffic data collected through Placer.ai reflects total Switchyard Park visitors to be 392,000.

A dministration

The Administration Division implements policy as set forth by the Board of Park Commissioners.

Administration 2025 Program Activity

Program Revenue

General Fund

Non-Reverting

Total 2025 Revenue

Program Expenses

General Fund

Non-Reverting

Total 2025 Expenses

Community Relations

• Designed and completed a total of 635 print and digital marketing pieces

• Obtained $108,100 in monetary sponsorships and advertising revenue from 72 different businesses and individuals for Parks and Recreation facilities, programs and events.

• Managed 902 individual volunteers at 96 different events. These volunteers contributed a total of 10,991 hours of service, an increase of 29% (8,545 hours) over 2024.

• Parks and Recreation’s Facebook (City of Bloomington, IN-Parks and Recreation) page views increased 53% over 2024, from 3.4 million to 5.3 million.

• Fourteen Facebook videos exceeded 10,000 views; 10 videos exceeded 20,000 views; and three videos exceeded 100,000 views.

• Bloomington Coummunity Farmers’ Market Facebook page reach increased from 284,000 to 755,000, a 164% increase over 2024. More than one million page views were recorded in 2025.

Bravo Award

Presented to outstanding volunteers

Girl Scout Troop 5156, Bryan Park cleanup

Eve Cusack, Weed Wrangles

Paul Howatt & Annelies Stoelinga, Adopt-A-Stream

Jill Abram, volunteer at multiple events

Lee McKinley, Adopt-A-Greenspace

Madalyn McKenney, Mad 4 My Dog, Drool in the Pool sponsor and volunteer

$150,451

$25,697

$176,148

$1,163,501

$35,209

$1,198,710

Community Relations coordinates graphic design, media relations, brand management, social media content, marketing, sponsors, and volunteers.

Volunteers at Adult Field Day join in the fun, challenging event participants and fellow volunteers to a game of cornhole.

Dozens of volunteers helped plant trees at Olcott Park during Arbor Day festivities April 25.

Kate Smith, multiple community event volunteer

Joy Roberts, Banneker Community Center

Eli McCormick, Adopt-A-Greenspace

Allyn Boley, Dearly Departed Cemetery Tours

B loomington Parks Foundation

The Bloomington Parks Foundation enhances and expands the services of the award-winning Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department through gifts of land and funds, and improves the lives of children by providing scholarship assistance to youth to participate in parks and recreation programs.

Continuing Double Market Bucks Funding at the Farmers’ Market

The Double Market Bucks program, a result of the Foundation’s pursuit of grant funding, continues at the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market Grant funds support this innovative project designed to improve access to the nutrient-dense, fresh, local food available at the Market When customers with Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP) benefits purchase Market Bucks, they receive a matching dollar amount (up to $27 per visit) in additional Market Bucks to use at the Farmers’ Market Market Bucks are paper vouchers that may be used like cash to purchase SNAP-eligible food and food-bearing seeds and plants from participating Market vendors Because the Market Bucks are spent exclusively at Market, it ensures the economic benefits stay in the community and the funds help support local farmers and small businesses

Scholarships for Youth

33rd Annual Don Brineman Memorial Golf Scramble

Another successful Don Brineman Memorial Golf Scramble took place Aug 27, 2025 at Cascades Golf Course which raised funds to support youth scholarships for Bloomington Parks and Recreation programs Teders & Quackenbush was the Presenting Sponsor; Nature’s Way was the Cart Sponsor; and IU Credit Union was the Driving Range Sponsor The 2025 event featured Indiana University varsity men’s golf team members Ethan Chelf and Cole Starnes

Approximately $18,587 was provided in scholarships to support youth involvement in Bloomington Parks and Recreation programs Sixty-six families with a total of 97 children were served in 2025, plus the named Donald Shiflet scholarship to Fairview Elementary students Moriah Boatman (Spring 2025) and Phoenix Morse (Fall 2025)

Community Access to City Pools

The Bloomington Parks Foundation provided $10,000 toward the Pool Fee Waiver program, to support free pool admission for 742 (529 youth and their accompanying adults) members of the Bloomington community

Park Projects and Highlights

Department Re-accredited

Parks and Recreation officially received reaccreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) annual conference Sept. 15 in Orlando, Fla.

Bloomington Parks and Recreation is one of only three parks departments in Indiana and 213 nationwide to earn accredited status. The Department was first accredited in 2001 and was successfully re-accredited in 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021.

CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation for park and recreation agencies. As part of the accreditation process, Parks and Recreation demonstrated compliance with 68 recognized standards and documented all policies and procedures. The process helps identify efficiencies and heighten areas of accountability, all of which translate into higher-quality service and operations that benefit the community.

Hopewell Commons Grand Opening

Hopewell Commons officially opened April 23 with a celebration featuring guest speakers, live music, and food trucks. The one-acre park is a key component of the planned Hopewell neighborhood development project.

The park features swingstyle seating, picnic tables, a log scramble play structure, artificial turf, a performance stage, temporary pickleball courts, and built-in ping pong tables. Environmentally-friendly design elements including a wetland garden and permeable pavers are integrated throughout the park.

The installation of a public art piece, Undulate, by local artist Jon Racek, was scheduled for 2025.

Five-Year Master Plan Process

The five-year master plan guides long-term decisionmaking on everything from fiscal sustainability and environmental stewardship to how the department manages its staffing, programs, parks, and facilities.

The Board of Park Commissioners in January contracted with 110%, Inc. of Salida, Colo. to lead the master planning process.

Beginning in April, the Department and 110% gathered community input through focus groups, stakeholder interviews, staff workshops and a statistically valid community survey, and conducted facility assessments of the city’s outdoor pools and ice arena. More than 1,200 residents also shared feedback through an online questionnaire.

“Developing a strong master plan takes both time and resources, but it’s one of the most important investments we can make for the future of our parks system,” said Parks and Recreation Director Tim Street. “We want to ensure that our facilities and programs reflect the needs and values of the people who live, work, and play in Bloomington. The only way to achieve that is by listening closely to our community.”

Bloomington Rail Trail Rogers Street Crossing

Parks and Recreation made significant safety and accessibility improvements to the Rogers Street crossing of the Bloomington Rail Trail. The Rail Trail was closed for 51 days, from Oct. 20 through Dec. 10, for installation of a pedestrian-activated Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB), a new streetlight, and 12-foot-wide paved trail sections on both sides of the road. The Rail Trail was realigned to create a 90-degree crossing at Rogers Street.

The project also involved vegetation removal, site grading, and a new stormwater inlet installation.

Parks and Recreation’s strong, connected staff works together to make Bloomington a great place to live, work, and play.

Staff

Tim Street ..

The Department has a professional and connected staff of long-standing members of our community dedicated to providing quality parks, recreation and sports services.

AdministrAtion

Administrator

Emily Buuck Community Relations Coordinator

Ace Chestnut Graphic Designer

Kim Clapp Office Manager

Missy Grabowski Customer Service Representative

Tiffany Hall

Customer Service Representative

Zane Phelps Customer Service Representative

Caleb Poer Digital Content Coordinator

Julie Ramey Community Relations Manager

Michele Wilson Customer Service Representative

operAtions & nAturAl resources

Rebecca Swift .... Operations & Development Division Director

John Barnes Master Motor Equipment Operator

Jon Behrman .

.. Natural Resources Working Foreperson

Caleb Cassidy Sanitation/Grounds Laborer II

Steve Cotter Natural Resources Manager

Allen Edwards Urban Greenspace/Veg Mgmt Laborer II

Landon Ellis Urban Forestry Laborer

Don Foddrill

Facilities Working Foreperson

Curtis Gilstrap..Cemeteries/Landscaping Working Foreperson

Bob Grubb Urban Forestry Laborer II

Jeff Hazel Laborer II

Mike Hollingsworth Facilities Maintenance Mechanic

Kyle Hudson .

.. Sanitation & Grounds Working Foreperson

Amy Leyenbeck Operations Division Coordinator

Tina Luallen Urban Greenspace Landscaping Laborer II

Tyler Luallen Master Motor Equipment Operator

Mark Marotz Operations Superintendent

Jeremy McIntire Equipment Maintenance Mechanic

Phil Paris Crew Leader

Ryan Rhodes

. Sanitation/Grounds Laborer II

Anthony Robertson Equipment Maintenance Mechanic

Jim Salisbury Laborer II

Heidi Shoemaker Natural Resources Coordinator

operAtions & nAturAl resources cont’d

Haskell Smith Urban Forester

Joanna Sparks Urban Greenspace Manager

Scot Sturrock .......... Urban Greenspace Working Foreperson

Mary Welz Natural Resources Manager

recreAtion

Becky Higgins Recreation Services Director

Aaron Biggs Recreation Programs General Manager

Clarence Boone.. Community Events Coordinator

Leslie Brinson .. .. .. .. .. . Recreation Programs General Manager

Tara Brooke Community Events Specialist

Shelby Drake Health & Wellness Coordinator

Erin Freese-Posthuma Program Specialist

Josh Hinton Switchyard Park Working Foreperson

Hsiung Marler.. .. .. .. .. .. Recreation Facilities General Manager

Sarah Mullin Program Specialist

Bill Ream Program/Facility Coordinator

Crystal Ritter Community Events Coordinator

Amy Shrake Inclusive Recreation Coordinator

Kevin Terrell Program Coordinator

Maggie Tull Switchyard Park Working Foreperson

sports

Satoshi Kido Sports Division Director

Jackson Cowden Golf Program Coordinator

Alec Curry Sports Specialist

Daren Eads ........................ Program/Facility Coordinator

Chris Hamric Sports Specialist

Parker Harrington Sports Laborer

Shawn Kluesner Program Specialist

Chris Lamb Athletic Fields Working Foreperson

Cody Martin

Sports Facility Coordinator

Brad Scroggins.. Master Motor Equipment Operator

Jason Sims

Golf Facilities Manager

Megan Stark Membership Coordinator

Mark Sterner Sports Area Manager

Message from the Board of Park Commissioners

Campers in the summer Banneker Camp program explore the outdoors. Banneker Camp is one of dozens of Parks and Recreation programs offered to the Bloomington community..

Bloomington, Indiana’s Parks and Recreation Department is nationally recognized and award-winning for its commitment to leisure spaces and natural environments.

In a 2025 community survey, 90% of respondents said that they have a positive view of the Parks and Recreation Department. Participants said that the city’s trails, playgrounds, soccer fields, Farmers’ Market, parks, tennis courts, pools, ice arena and other facilities enhanced their quality of life in Bloomington.

One participant wrote: “We love the huge range of parks available in a pretty small city. We love the trails and hiking available and the natural areas the city cares for.”

All of that happens because of the dedication of 53 full-time Parks employees, and a host of seasonal staff. In addition to daily parks maintenance and infrastructure improvements, the Parks and Recreation Department, under the leadership of Director Tim Street, offers hundreds of events the public looks forward to year after year. These include the Fourth of July parade, Griffy Lake Nature Days for fourth-grade students, Dearly Departed Cemetery Tours in October at Rose Hill Cemetery, Skate with Santa, and Yappy Hours events for dogs.

While some of the Parks and Recreation Department’s lessons, programs, and events have fees attached, many are free. Programming is offered for everyone, from the tiniest toddler playground visitor to senior striders and everyone in between.

Behind the scenes is a dedicated army of parks employees who eradicate invasive species, train lifeguards, monitor HVAC systems, maintain trails, trim trees, and much, much more. The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is CAPRA accredited, meaning it has achieved the highest level of service to the community.

I hope you have been able to enjoy some of our gorgeous parks, trails, swim time, golf rounds, and other recreation opportunities in the past year. If you’re not sure what’s out there, download the Outer Spatial app and let it guide you. Enjoy Bloomington’s gorgeous parks!

Kathleen Mills,

President Board of Park Commissioners

Our Mission

We equitably enrich community well-being by providing quality parks, trails, facilities, programs and services, and through the stewardship of natural spaces.

We Value

stewardship l service l diversity l accountability l inclusion l respect l fun l community

Mayor

Kerry Thomson

Department Director

Tim Street

Board of Park Commissioners

Israel Herrera

Kathleen Mills

Ellen Rodkey

Jim Whitlatch

Bloomington Parks Foundation

2025 Board of Directors

Tony Rastall, President

Erin Martoglio, Vice President

Chris Hawk, Treasurer

Sally Baird, Secretary

Doug Bruce

John Carter

Les Coyne

Rollie Mason

Beth Matney

Aaron Mobley

Tony Mobley

Ben Niehoff

Chris Quackenbush

David Skirvin

Jon Tichenor

Skate Park at Upper Cascades