Photography by Garrett J Poortinga | Green Hat Media 2018
Message from the Mayor
2018 was a banner year for the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department! During our city’s Bicentennial year, we committed to expanding trails, greenways and our tree canopy, broke ground on a spectacular new park that will open in November 2019, and celebrated our city’s 200th anniversary with a series of inaugural, community-building events—from a street fair on Kirkwood to a Bike-centennial on the B-Line to downtown Fireworks on the Fourth. And in September our celebration culminated by attaining the highest distinction in the land—the 2018 National Gold Medal for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, awarded by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Bloomington took top national honors in our category, among communities with a population between 75,000 and 150,000. It’s the second time Bloomington has been so recognized: Parks earned its first gold medal in 2007. I could not be prouder of our parks staff for the hard work that this honor represents. Every ball field, every swimming lesson, every concert in the park, and every Saturday Farmers’ Market—and so much more—contributed to this distinction. From the facilities we build and maintain, to the programming we produce for community members of all ages, to the landscaping that enhances our everyday experience, our Parks department plays an immeasurable role in making Bloomington, Bloomington. And all of it happens only because our community members embrace and use our facilities and programs so enthusiastically!
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton speaks at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Switchyard Park, May 11, 2018.
2019 is already off to a thrilling start. The year began with Bicentennial bonds being sold—including to many community members—that will add seven miles to our City’s network of trails and greenways. Thanks for investing in Bloomington’s future! Improvements will include transforming Seventh Street into a shared street with a protected bike lane—a sort of east-west B-Line Trail—and increasing trail connections around Griffy Lake and in Cascades Park and westward, from Switchyard Park through RCA Park to Wapehani Mountain Bike Park. The bonds will also allow us to replenish our tree canopy, a big priority for us as an official Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA since 1984. As I write, exciting developments are happening at Switchyard Park, where we broke ground less than one year ago. The outdoor stage and the splash pad are coming along. The stone fireplace has been installed in the picnic shelter. The skate park is almost complete. And in property the City secured adjacent to the park, South Central Indiana Housing Opportunity will be breaking ground this month on Switchyard Apartments, two 8-unit apartment buildings with long-term affordability for low-income families, including three units specifically designed for individuals with disabilities. Because as great of a draw as Switchyard Park will be for visitors around the region, we want to ensure this park enhances the quality of life for everyone in Bloomington, from all walks of life. With spring, we look forward to many opportunities across our beautiful city to connect with one another. I’m grateful that our City’s Parks and Recreation Department makes that so easy. Whether you’re shopping at the Farmers’ Market, enjoying a Sunday night concert in Bryan Park, or rooting for your favorite team at Twin Lakes, please thank our hardworking Parks staff for their big role in making the moment happen.
John Hamilton, Mayor City of Bloomington