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BLOOMINGTON2014 Community Guide

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Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

Bloomington: A city at its best

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loomington is among the best of Minnesota’s cities.

We are proud of our safe and welcoming neighborhoods, our thousands of acres of parks and open space, our residents who work together to promote a vital community and our businesses that define our prosperity.

To ensure that Bloomington remains at its best, we are focused on and committed to the continual building and renewal Mayor Gene WInstead of this community by addressing the challenges of redeveloping our commercial areas and residential neighborhoods, and by improving our transportation system.

We can accomplish our goals because we have a vision, Imagine Bloomington 2025, and the ability and the resources to carry it out. Our vision of a healthy, sustainable, fiscally sound community defines our strategy to continue to keep Bloomington thriving for the long term. To help guide the city’s planning and vision, we conducted community surveys in 2012 and 2013, and are in the process of completing the 2014 poll. The National Research Center out of Boulder, Colo., contacted thousands of residents to get their views of Bloomington and its strengths and weaknesses.

So, how are we doing? I am happy to discover that I am not the only one who loves Bloomington.

The 2013 survey showed residents also love their city.

When asked, 95 percent praised Bloomington as a place to live; 94 percent would recommend living in Bloomington and 90 percent rated the overall quality of life in Bloomington as excellent or good. All of these ratings were much above the ranking of 500 U.S. cities polled.

We were also able to compare our results with 21 highperformance peer cities that are very similar to Bloomington in size, location, demographics, population and employment base. Bloomington ranked much above these peer cities in many areas, including a number one ranking in employment opportunities.

Bloomington’s municipal services also received high marks. Snow removal, drinking water, sewer, police and fire all rated much above the national benchmarks in the survey. Essential and quality-of-life services such as these help support the long-term mission of making Bloomington a healthier, safer and more sustainable community.

The goal is to protect and reinvest in the community’s key assets – our homes and businesses – by providing competitively priced city services that make Bloomington safe

and build community.

Our city ranks with an elite few cities nationwide that hold three triple-A bond ratings. The city of Bloomington maintains an Aaa from Moody’s, AAA from Standard & Poor’s and AAA from Fitch Ratings, the highest bond ratings awarded by these agencies. Out of the more than 19,000 municipalities that seek ratings from these agencies, only 27 of them have three triple-A ratings. Excellent bond ratings signal to current and potential investors that our financial future is strong. It also sends a message to businesses and individuals that Bloomington is a financially sustainable community.

Bloomington’s future vision draws inspiration from the community’s can-do spirit, the talents and experience of residents and businesses, and a shared belief that anything worth doing is worth doing well. We remain dedicated to building and renewing Bloomington, not just for the short term, but in a manner that will sustain us as a quality city and keep Bloomington at its best.

Gene Winstead Mayor of Bloomington

10917 Valley View Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 current.mnsun.com Editor ...................................................................Mike Hanks Writer. ..................................................................Mike Hanks Photography .................... Mike Hanks, Joseph Palmersheim Layout & Design ........ Joseph Palmersheim, Keith Anderson Cover Design .......................................................... Elli Martin Sales ............................................... Nancy Etzel, Lisa Nollen, .........................................Nicole Jorgenson, Jeanne Cannon Advertising Director ..................................... Cheri O’Bannon Executive Editor ............................................Peggy Bakken Director of News............................................ Keith Anderson Special thanks to Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead for his participation in this guidebook, providing the Welcome to Bloomington message. Our appreciation also goes to the city of Bloomington, the Hennepin County Library System, Three Rivers Park District and the many community organizations and local businesses that supported this publication.

A product of ECM Publishers, Inc.

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Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

The hub of the city: Civic Plaza

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t takes many departments to facilitate the business of government, and the epicenter of it all is Bloomington Civic Plaza.

Civic Plaza is home to the city’s administrative offices, the Bloomington Police Department and the Center for the Arts. Much more than a typical government office building, it is a place alive with music, art and, during the Farmers Market, plenty of delicious, locally grown produce. The Center for the Arts is a focal point for the performing and visual arts for thousands of people in Bloomington and the surrounding communities.

At Bloomington Civic Plaza, you can obtain a building permit, register the children for summer programs and take in a show all under one roof. The campus of municipal facilities includes the Public Works complex across the street from Civic Plaza, and several smaller Public Works facilities, six fire stations, a water treatment plant, a Public Health Center and Motor Vehicle Office.

Although there are plenty of amenities and services offered on campus, you need not leave the comfort of your home to connect to city services or register for programs or events. The city’s website serves as its main information hub and includes a variety of online tools to help you get information more efficiently. The city’s E-Tools allow you to find answers to specific questions at any time of the day.

Through Ask the City, you can search frequently asked questions for answers or log on to submit a question or

service request to the appropriate department. Interactive maps allow you to track construction projects happening around the city. Webcasts give you the ability to watch city council meetings from your computer. You can sign up for Parks and Recreation programs and events online, and even register to become a program volunteer.

In addition, while visiting the city’s website, you can sign up to receive timely alerts about programs and events directly to your email inbox via E-Subscribe. Or sign up to receive important emergency alerts via the Citizen Alert system. These are just a few of the online tools available.

With so much going on in Bloomington, there’s plenty to keep track of. To keep residents informed, the city publishes the Briefing, a bi-monthly newsletter. The Briefing is mailed to all single-family households and businesses, and is also available online. The city produces news programs – Bloomington Today and Roll Call, which are also accessible on the city’s website.

Bloomington Today is a weekly news show that highlights city events, programs and services. Roll Call is a monthly news show that includes updates from the Bloomington Police Department.

Bloomington Civic Plaza 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road 952-563-8700 www.bloomingtonmn.gov 7

Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

Bloomington: A city with a rich history he landscape has changed through the centuries, but Bloomington has long held an important place in Minnesota’s history.

With a blossoming farming community, Bloomington became a town on May 11, 1858 – the year Minnesota was officially declared a state. The town’s first public school was three years old at the time, the town’s 25 organizers approved a $100 town budget, and land sold for about a dollar an acre. Residents installed a town hall building in 1892 – which was used until a new town hall was built in 1964 – and the town totaled about 1,000 residents by 1900. Thirty years later, the population had more than doubled and was estimated at more than 2,500.

School enrollment continued to escalate, with 700 students in Bloomington schools in 1918. To accommodate the number of children in grades 1-12, a school bus operation was initiated.

The population continued to grow rapidly, and the town scrambled to provide enough room and services to meet the demand. A chamber of commerce was established in 1954 and the Bloomington Athletic Association began to organize youth sports a year later. Eighty-five businesses operated in Bloomington, serving 28,934 residents.

Bloomington High School was built in 1957 and was later 8

renamed Lincoln High School, which served the community until 1982.

Bloomington officially became a city in 1960, about a century after first organizing as a town. Development continued, and the city reached a booming population of 50,000. Interstates 494 and 35W connected Bloomington to the nation.

And the nation tuned in to Bloomington, which housed the Metropolitan Stadium and Sports Center, the home of major league teams such as the Minnesota Vikings and Twins.

Schools in Bloomington were expanded once again to include the John F. Kennedy and Thomas Jefferson high schools, built in 1964 and 1970, respectively. Bloomington residents were 82,000 strong by 1978.

The commercial district continued to grow to meet increased demands. The Mall of America opened in 1992 and currently offers more than 520 stores. In 2004, the Metro Transit Hiawatha light rail line opened to shuttle tourists and area residents alike between downtown Minneapolis and Mall of America.

For more information about and images from Bloomington’s history, visit these sources online: bloomingtonhistoricalsociety.org and bloomingtonmn.gov.

Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

On call to serve 24 hours a day

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team of highly trained volunteers are at the ready 24 hours a day when it comes to providing the city’s fire protection.

The Bloomington Fire Department was formed in 1947, following years of planning while Bloomington relied upon neighboring cities for fire protection. The city’s first fire station was a two-bay garage at the intersection of 95th Street and Garfield Avenue.

Today the city is served by six stations and 125 volunteers who are paid $5 per fire call and $4.12 per drill attended, as well as a monthly on-call stipend of $65. The department has added 12 volunteers this year and there is a waiting list of approximately 15.

The department’s only full-time employees are its chief, Ulie Seal, and two full-time administrative staff members.

Seal, who has been with the department since 1976, became its first full-time chief when the position transitioned from a volunteer job in 2007.

Firefighters carry pagers that alert them to emergency calls in the city, day or night. They also participate in a variety of training drills and community service programs throughout the year.

Each fall department members participate in visits to fourth-grade classes at Bloomington schools to speak

about fire prevention. The department also hosts an open house in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week, featuring fire prevention exhibits and demonstrations as well as other exhibits from other organizations, including the city’s police and public works departments.

Among the most popular programs are the Fire Safety House (a vehicle that is used for fire prevention demonstrations and classes), truck visits, station tours, and visits from Sparky the Fire Dog and Pluggie, the department’s mascots. These events allow children to come in contact with firefighters and see the gear, equipment and tools that are used to help residents of the city.

Throughout the year, fire department representatives will test, install or replace smoke detectors for Bloomington homeowners. Smoke detectors are the “best first line of defense,” according to Seal.

Smoke detectors are free, and in-home visits are available by appointment. Residents who are physically unable to change batteries in a working smoke detector may also call the fire department for assistance, Seal noted.

The department’s administrative offices are at Fire Station No. 1, 10 W. 95th St. For information about fire department services, call 952563-4801.

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Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

Proactively keeping the city safe

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he Bloomington Police Department takes a proactive approach in fulfilling its public safety services to the city.

Bloomington has more than 115 sworn police officers serving the city, and about 35 full-time clerical, dispatch, community service and animal control employees, according to Police Chief Jeff Potts. The department headquarters is part of Bloomington Civic Plaza.

The department’s Mall of America Unit, housed in a substation at the mall, allows officers to respond quickly and efficiently to calls for service at the nation’s largest shopping complex.

The department also has a highly trained Emergency Response Unit, which includes a SWAT team and a bomb squad, one of four serving Minnesota.

Besides responding to criminal matters, car crashes and medical emergencies, the department offers a variety of services to Bloomington residents and businesses.

There are approximately 350 Neighborhood Watch organizations in Bloomington, identifiable by signs posted in neighborhoods across the city. Those 350 groups represent more than half of the 21,000 homes in Bloomington.

The Neighborhood Watch program trains and educates residents in ways to be involved, stay informed and work together with their neighbors to address mutual concerns and find solutions. If your neighborhood is not part of a watch group, the Bloomington Police Crime Prevention Unit will help set one up.

The department also works to duplicate the concept for Bloomington businesses. With more than 6,000 businesses in the city, the department works with business owners through its Business Watch program. This group receives

crime alerts and works with the department to reduce crime and enhance public safety in the business community.

One of the department’s top priorities is traffic safety, according to Potts. The department conducts daily traffic details, often in response to traffic concerns of residents.

The primary goals of traffic enforcement are driver compliance and safety. “The more traffic enforcement we provide, the fewer crashes there will be,” Potts said.

Residents do not need to be police officers to be involved with the department. The annual Citizen’s Police Academy is a law enforcement education program designed to give participants an inside look at how the police department operates, including its policies, procedures, programs, priorities and challenges. More than 400 residents have attended the academy since its inception in 2003.

Academy classes are taught by department personnel.

Topics include functions of department divisions, emergency response, search and seizure, traffic stops, use of force, defensive tactics and an introduction to firearms.

Participants also have an opportunity to ride along with a patrol officer. The 10-week course is offered each fall.

The department’s “Roll Call” program is a monthly cable television show examining crime statistics and other public safety issues. It is also available for viewing through the city’s website.

The department provides an online crime map with statistics from the previous 90 days, as well as arrest reports, budget information and historical data through the city’s website.

Information about police services is available by calling 952-563-4900 and through the city’s website, bloomingtonmn.gov.

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Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

Public schools meet student needs

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dapting to meet the demands of today’s students, Bloomington Public Schools provides the best educational experience for all its unique learners.

Bloomington Public Schools includes 10 elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, two early childhood centers and two alternative learning centers. The district is guided by a strategic plan referred to as Pathways to Graduation, a framework for preparing students to graduate on time with the skills necessary for college or a career.

The district is a leader in early childhood education. Its Kinderprep program has gained national attention for its work to prepare English learners and low-income 4-yearolds for kindergarten. Bloomington’s enrollment remains relatively flat at 10,000, but its diverse student population has increased annually to 44 percent of all students.

Support for Bloomington schools remains strong, thanks to voter-approved levies. For each dollar of revenue received, 22 cents come from local levies, while 72 cents come from the state. State revenue has not kept pace with inflation, however, requiring periodic referendum requests to meet the district’s educational program needs.

Last fall, Bloomington voters supported a 10-year capital projects levy that provides $2 million per year to fund safety and security improvements, and $4 million per year for educational technology that will prepare students to

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compete in a global economy.

Bloomington Public Schools is the first in the state to offer a profoundly gifted high school experience for students that have exceptional academic skills. Dimensions Academy High School opens this fall in partnership with Normandale Community College to provide a highly rigorous college-level curriculum with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) focus. The district also provides highly successful and internationally recognized gifted programs for elementary and middle school students.

The district is governed by a seven-member board of education that meets at the Educational Services Center, at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of the month and 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month. Information about district programs and services, from early childhood family education options for children up to 5 years old, to Bloomington alumni information is available through the district’s website. Frequent news updates and statistical information, including a copy of the district’s annual report, may also be found through the website, which links to individual pages for each Bloomington school.

Bloomington Public Schools 1350 W. 106th St., Bloomington 952-681-6400 bloomingtonschools.info

Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

Lifetime of learning opportunities

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any organizations offer post-secondary educational opportunities in Bloomington, the most prominent of which is Normandale Community College.

The college has been part of the community for more than 40 years. About 1,400 students enrolled in September 1968 when the doors opened. Today enrollment has burgeoned to approximately 15,000 students per year.

The college and its 90-acre campus attracts students from across the Twin Cities as well as students from its own backyard.

Normandale is also one of Minnesota’s most racially diverse campuses, with 26 percent of the student body comprised of students of color.

Besides the traditional courses leading to a variety of associate’s degrees and certificates that community colleges are known for, Normandale offers specialized degree programs. Students may enroll in a nanotechnology program, for instance, offered in cooperation with leading high-tech manufacturers.

Normandale has also partnered with other public institutions of higher learning such as Minnesota State University Mankato and Metropolitan State University to bring four-year programs to its campus. Students pursuing degrees in education can complete all four years of their training while attending Normandale.

The college is also known for its criminal justice, dental hygiene, radiological technology and music and theater programs.

The college’s largest program remains its liberal arts transfer course sequence, followed by business marketing and management, science and engineering, nursing and teacher education.

In keeping with trends in higher education, Normandale also offers much of its course content online.

Students who want to take a course simply for the sake of learning aren’t excluded. Normandale offers a variety of continuing education courses ranging from career enrichment to computer technology to foreign languages such as Chinese and Spanish.

Other colleges in Bloomington include Academy College, offering a variety of professional training programs; Bethany College of Missions, a private Christian college that focuses on training missionaries; Northwestern Health Sciences University, offering natural and integrative health care education; and Rasmussen College and Strayer University, offering degree programs in a variety of growing fields.

Above, the Japanese garden at Normandale Community College.

Normandale Community College 9700 France Ave. S. normandale.edu Northwestern Health Sciences University 2501 W. 84th St. nwhealth.edu

Academy College 1101 E. 78th St. academycollege.edu

Rasmussen College 4400 W. 78th St. rasmussen.edu

Bethany College of Missions 6820 Auto Club Road bcom.org

Strayer University 1600 W. 82nd St. No. 100 strayer.edu 13

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Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

Libraries open doors to the world

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variety of programs and services for all ages are offered throughout the year at Bloomington’s two Hennepin County Library branches.

Hennepin County Library consists of 41 libraries in Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin County. The library system is a national award-winner for innovative government programs and is recognized as one of the top library systems in the United States.

Hennepin County Library offers approximately 5 million books, CDs, DVDs, downloadables and other resources in more than a dozen world languages, plus access to more than 1,900 computers. Library cards are free and are available at your local library or online.

With a library card, you can check out and request materials from any of the 41 libraries plus other public libraries in the seven-county metro area.

Hennepin County Library’s website offers 24/7 access to the library catalog, online databases, audio and video downloads, eBooks, job and small business resources, web pages for children, teens and new immigrants, and much more.

Outreach Services provides library service for people who are unable to go to a library due to disability, mobility issues or confinement in county correctional facilities. Oxboro Library is a popular destination for students as well as the diverse Bloomington community.

The library’s collection of books, DVDs, CDs and magazines includes materials in Spanish, Vietnamese and Somali, as well as English. Staff assists patrons in finding resources for learning a new language, working toward citi-

zenship, applying for college, finding housing or a job, researching a business opportunity or a vacation destination, and many other information needs.

The library collaborates with Bloomington Schools Volunteer Connection staff, Minnesota Reading Corps members and other community volunteers to offer the Family Homework Connection. Homework help is offered for K-12 students at the library on Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., when Bloomington schools are in session.

Penn Lake Library serves residents from nearby Edina, Richfield, south Minneapolis and Eden Prairie as well as Bloomington patrons. Multicultural patrons who attend nearby Metro South Adult Basic Education ESL and general education classes stop in to use the Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese language collections and citizenship resources.

The Penn Lake Mystery Book Club, the Penn Lake Reading Group and the Teen Anime Club meet regularly.

Several book clubs for children, among other programs, are scheduled in the summer.

Oxboro Library 8801 Portland Ave. S. 612-543-5775 Penn Lake Library 8800 Penn Ave. S. 612-543-5800 hclib.org 15

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Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

Artistic education, entertainment

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any organizations and businesses offer opportunities for artistic expression and education, and Bloomington Civic Plaza provides the venue for many artistic outlets.

The Bloomington Center for the Arts provides stage, rehearsal, classroom, gallery and office space for several nonprofit arts organizations.

The Center for the Arts opened in July 2003 as part of Bloomington Civic Plaza. Financed through a voter referendum, an endowment and fundraising by the Bloomington Fine Arts Council – an association of Bloomingtonbased arts organizations – the Center for the Arts is home to two theaters and two art galleries.

The larger of the two stages is inside the Schneider Theater for the Performing Arts, a 366-seat theater that hosts a variety of musical and theatrical performances yearround. The Black Box Theater is a multi-purpose facility that seats 115.

Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs, Bloomington Chorale, Bloomington Theatre and Art Center, Continental Ballet Company, and NOTE-able Singers are among the organizations that share stages and office space at the Center for the Arts.

Organizations such as BTAC rely on the Center for the Arts to present a variety of performances throughout the year, many running for as long as five weeks and some sell-

ing out weeks before the final curtain.

Other organizations, such as the Bloomington-based Medalist Concert Band, perform across the Twin Cities in addition to their performances in Bloomington.

Continental Ballet Company not only stages performances throughout the year, but also operates a ballet school with classes for everyone from beginners to professionals. Other classes, from painting to creative writing, are offered by BTAC. The Inez Greenberg Gallery is on the main floor of the Center for the Arts. The Atrium Gallery is the building’s second-floor display space. BTAC is responsible for selecting and installing all of the exhibits that appear in the galleries, typically seven per year in each space.

The exhibits feature works by artists from Minnesota and neighboring states. The galleries are open seven days a week, excluding major holidays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1-10 p.m. Sundays.

Information about the arts council and its members is available online at bloomingtonfinearts.com.

Information about BTAC theater productions, art exhibits and class information is available online at btacmn. org.

Tickets for performances at Bloomington Center for the Arts may be ordered online or by calling the box office at 952-563-8575.

17

Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

Bloomington 19

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20

Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

Making a splash in Bloomington

T

he dog days of summer come and go too quickly, but Bloomington provides a sandy beach and a state-ofthe-art aquatic center to maximize fun in the sun.

The Bloomington Family Aquatic Center is open daily from June 14 through Aug. 17, and then on weekends through Labor Day. Monday through Friday the pool is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays the hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Whether you choose to lounge by the pool, swim laps or brave a back-and-forth ride down one of the water slides, the aquatic center offers the perfect solution to a sweltering summer day.

In addition to water slides, the aquatic centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amenities include a zero-depth entry pool, diving boards, a newly renovated bathhouse, a tot play area with slides and a concession stand.

Rates for the Bloomington Family Aquatic Center range from $6.50 to $9.50 daily, with seasonal passes available for residents and non-residents. For residents a seasonal pass is $16.75 for seniors and children 10 and younger, $28.50 for ages 11-15 and $53.75 for ages 16-54.

If you prefer a more natural setting when cooling off, Bush Lake Beach has been providing a relaxing beach ex-

perience to thousands of visitors per year since opening in 1956.

Home to a playground, paved and unpaved hiking trails, a beach house, concession stand, fishing dock, a sand volleyball court, barbecue grills, picnic tables and, of course, a spacious swimming beach, Bush Lake Beach is also available by reservation for group gatherings.

The beach is open June 14 through Aug. 17, with lifeguards on duty 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Entrance to Bush Lake Beach is $6.75 per car, with a seasonal pass available for $33.50 for the first car, and $16.75 for a second permit.

For more information about the Bloomington Family Aquatic Center and Bush Lake Beach contact the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department at 952-5638877.

Bloomington Family Aquatic Center 201 E. 90th St. bit.ly/bfac2013 Bush Lake Beach 9140 E. Bush Lake Road bit.ly/blb2013 21

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Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

City is home to regional amenities

I

n addition to its many city parks, Bloomington is also home to a regional park that hosts a variety of activities and programs.

Hyland Lake Park Reserve – part of the Three Rivers Park District – hosts recreational activities and programs throughout the year, The park reserve offers breathtaking prairie landscapes and a major body of water as well as a large play area, the Richardson Nature Center and the Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area. With so much to do, this park has endless opportunities for outdoor fun.

Richardson Nature Center is the largest of Three Rivers Park District’s nature centers. Recently the park district had 132 energy-efficient solar panels installed atop its roof, with a goal of generating half of the building’s annual energy use through solar power.

Inside, one can enjoy colorful clay mosaics by artist Chris Tully that cover the exhibit area walls, view interpretive displays, visit live animals and raptors or observe birds and other animals in the backyard wildlife viewing area.

The interpretive area surrounding the building features hiking trails that weave between diverse habitats, including marshes, oak forests and restored prairie.

Along the trails, visitors might spot some of the varied wildlife that live in the park, such as deer, fox, coyote, muskrats and turkeys.

Many species of birds can be observed in the area seasonally. Cellphone audio stops, trail guides, exploration kits and interpretive signs are available throughout the park.

The Nature Exploration Area encourages free play in the outdoors. Children can explore, dig and build while adults play along or observe nearby.

You can also try geocaching at the Hyland Visitor Center, just down the road from the nature center. GPS units may be checked out free of charge at the visitor center on

a first come, first served basis. Units may only be used in the park and must be returned to the visitor center before closing. A picture ID is required.

Winter sports enthusiasts will enjoy the Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area located within Hyland Lake Park Reserve.

This area is a great place for downhill skiing and snowboarding in the metro area. The terrain park is full of progressive and innovative features and is known for some of the best snowmaking and grooming in the Midwest. A multi-million dollar improvement project is underway to replace the four-decade old chalet with a new facility in 2015, including improved traffic and parking accommodations.

During the summer the park attracts many disc golf enthusiasts, although the activity is closed for the 2014 season due to the chalet construction project.

The Three Rivers Park District is a special park district governed by a board of commissioners and a superintendent, structured much like a school board. The core of the park district is suburban Hennepin County, but it also serves parts of Ramsey, Scott, Carver and Dakota counties.

The name “Three Rivers” comes from the district’s geography, situated within the watersheds that flow into three significant rivers to the region: the Mississippi, the Minnesota and the Crow.

Hyland Lake Park Reserve 10145 Bush Lake Road 763-694-7687 Richardson Nature Center 8737 E. Bush Lake Road 763-694-7676 threeriversparks.org 23

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Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

A variety of recreational options

Y

ou can’t drive through Bloomington without passing one of the city’s many parks dedicated to leisurely activities and the enjoyment of nature.

At nearly 9,000 acres, more than one-third of Bloomington’s 38.3 square miles of land and water is dedicated to parks and open space. Most of the Minnesota River valley, including the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, is managed by the city and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The city, in partnership with Three Rivers Park District, operates the Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services manages 4,211 acres of land and waters in Bloomington, and Three Rivers Park District manages an additional 1,268 acres.

Parks and open space in Bloomington cover 13.95 square miles of the city. The total is one of many numbers that help define the depth of what Bloomington has to offer in its parks.

For instance, there are 97 city parks in Bloomington, consisting of 3,448 acres of land and water, and they are home to: • 80 baseball and softball fields • 31 soccer fields • 7 football fields • 29 horseshoe courts • 35 outdoor basketball courts • 54 playgrounds • 45 tennis courts, four dual striped tennis/pickleball courts, three pickleball courts • 17 outdoor hockey rinks • 33 park buildings

• 15 picnic shelters • 24.35 miles of park trails/sidewalks There are also two disc golf courses in Bloomington (Moir Park and Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area) as well as five archery targets at the Marsh Lake Archery Range.

For traditional golfers the city has two courses, the 18hole Dwan Golf Club and the nine-hole Hyland Greens Golf and Learning Center. And new this year, Hyland Greens offers a nine-hole “footgolf ” course, a sport that combines soccer and golf.

Dwan offers an 18-hole, par 68 course. It has practice chipping and putting greens, a clubhouse that serves breakfast and lunch year-round and tee times beginning at 6 a.m. daily during the summer.

Hyland has a nine-hole par 3 course as well as an allbentgrass, 30,000-square-foot driving range and areas for chipping, bunker and short game practice. Daily tee times are available starting at 7 a.m.

In the summer, the Normandale Lake Bandshell hosts a series of family entertainment concerts. Bryant, Kelly, Sunrise and Westwood parks are home to paved rinks used for in-line skating, and a water-play area is available at Cedarcrest Park.

The Valley View Playfields feature the Bloomington Family Aquatic Center, six bocce ball courts, the Kent Hrbek Youth Baseball Complex and the 500-seat Toro Grandstand at Red Haddox Baseball Field.

Many other recreational options exist within Bloomington’s parks. A complete rundown of park amenities is available online through the city’s website, bloomingtonmn.gov.

25

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Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

Wildlife has a home in Bloomington

Q

uietly tucked away, just down the street from the hustle and bustle of Mall of America, is Bloomingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contribution to national wildlife protection, the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

Formed in 1976 to provide a natural habitat for countless wildlife species, the national wildlife refuge now stretches more than 50 miles, covers more than 14,000 acres of natural land and consists of eight separate refuge lands throughout the Minnesota River Valley.

And all of that begins in Bloomington, where the Bloomington Visitor Center serves as the gateway to a majestic trip down the Minnesota River.

Updated three years ago with a new energy efficient heating, cooling and lighting system, the inside of the Bloomington Visitors Center features both interpretive and educational exhibits, a 125-seat auditorium for viewing wildlife videos, a rotating art gallery, a bookshop and an informational desk stocked with all the necessary materials and know-how needed to enjoy the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

The visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, April 1 to Oct. 31, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday through Friday, Nov. 1 to March 31. During the winter season the visitor center is also open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the first full weekend of each month.

Just outside the front steps of the building is the Hillside Trail, which is a half-mile loop through prairie, hillside forest and wetlands.

Panoramic views of Long Meadow Lake can also be

enjoyed from the visitor center observation platform. The visitor center is also the starting point for the Minnesota River Valley trek, which travels through the outskirts of Eagan, Burnsville, Savage, Eden Prairie, Shakopee, Chaska, Carver, Jordan and Belle Plain.

A natural habitat for countless species, wildlife is abundant within the entire scope of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

The refuge is home to more than 50 types of mammals and 30 different types of amphibians and reptiles. Bird watching is a popular activity throughout the refuge.

More than 225 species of birds reside within the refuge throughout the year. Species found within the refuge include wood ducks, American redstarts, great blue herons, American goldfinches, Canadian geese and nesting bald eagles.

The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge staff maintains the habitats in which the animals live.

Opportunities to enjoy the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge abound, from hiking in the spring, summer and fall to cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Bike trails are also available on a limited basis throughout the refuge, and leashed dogs are welcome.

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge 3815 American Blvd. E. 952-854-5900 bit.ly/mvrefuge 27

Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

Share in the good times, laughter

T

here’s rarely a dull moment in Bloomington as events organized by the city, local churches, schools and civic organizations ensure there are celebrations to last throughout the year.

One of the city’s largest celebrations is its annual Summer Fete, a one-day celebration to honor Independence Day. This year Summer Fete is Thursday, July 3.

From the Normandale Lake Bandshell to the intersection of Normandale Boulevard and 84th Street, an evening carnival, children’s entertainment and music on the main stage precede fireworks at dusk.

September brings Heritage Days. The one-day civic celebration has grown since its inception four years ago, and the fifth annual celebration is Sept. 20. A parade, live music, children’s games and activities, bingo and a car show are among the many activities that will again be part of the daylong celebration. Heritage Days is held near the intersection of Lyndale Avenue South and West 95th Street, bloomingtonheritagedays.org.

River Rendezvous is a living history festival set at PondDakota Mission Park, 401 E. 104th St., each fall. The annual celebration showcases the lifestyles of people living in Minnesota between 1800 and 1870 through storytelling and interactive, hands-on demonstrations.

River Rendezvous provides five days of educational opportunities for students throughout the Twin Cities and

28

an opportunity for families to partake in the festivities on Thursday evening, Sept. 25.

Winter brings the annual Winter Fete, a weekend celebration of Minnesota’s coldest months. Youth winter sports programs have special games planned to coincide with the festival. Recreational activities and an afternoon of winter history demonstrations at Pond-Dakota Mission Park are among the many events planned each winter. The annual celebration spans two weekends in late January.

Other annual events in the city include a Halloween party at the Bloomington Armory on Halloween night, and an annual egg hunt each spring at the Normandale Lake Bandshell the morning before Easter. Both events are organized by the Bloomington Breakfast Optimists Club, bloomingtonoptimists.org.

Summer is a busy time in Bloomington parks. The city has several Monday morning programs for children, and the Normandale Lake Bandshell is host to musical entertainment many Tuesday and Thursday nights, including the annual Blues and BBQ on Thursday, Aug. 7. The city also hosts Friday night movies at the bandshell during many weeks of the summer.

Information about city festivals and events is available through the city’s website, bloomingtonmn.gov, or by calling Bloomington Parks and Recreation at 952-563-8877.

Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

Places to gather together in faith Bloomington has many places of worship for people of various faiths:

Life Church 2201 W. 108th St. 952-884-0594

Al-Farooq Youth & Family Center 8201 Park Ave. S. 612-331-1234

Lutheran Church of the Redemption 927 E. Old Shakopee Road 952-881-0035

Al-Rahman Muslim Community Center 8910 Old Cedar Ave. 952-883-0044

Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 10715 Zenith Ave. S. 952-884-8956

Atonement Lutheran Church 601 E. 98th St. 952-881-9244 Bethany Missionary Church 6900 Auto Club Road 952-946-4186 Bloomington Covenant Church 10150 Xerxes Ave. S. 952-831-8339 Bloomington Lutheran Church 9350 Portland Ave. S. 952-888-2475 Calvary Christian Reformed Church 8901 France Ave. S. 952-831-6264 Calvary United Pentecostal Church 8800 Nicollet Ave. S. 952-888-0215 Cedarcrest Church 1630 E. 90th St. 952-854-8390 Cedar Valley Church 8600 Bloomington Ave. S. 952-854-1100 Christ the King Lutheran Church 8600 Fremont Ave. S. 952-881-8600 Christian Life Church 9000 Emerson Ave. S. 952-881-6527 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 9700 Nesbitt Ave. S. 952-831-5373

Mount Hope Lutheran Church 3601 W. Old Shakopee Road 952-888-5059 Community of the Cross Lutheran Church 10701 Bloomington Ferry Road 952-941-1247

Nativity of Mary Catholic Church 9900 Lyndale Ave. S. 952-881-8671

CrossPoint Church 9801 France Ave. S. 952-831-1785

Normandale Baptist Church 4701 W. 84th St. 952-831-2900

Eastside Bible Baptist Church 8524 Fremont Ave. S. 952-884-8044

Normandale Hylands United Methodist Church 9920 Normandale Road 952-835-7585

Emmaus Lutheran Church 8443 Second Ave. S. 952-884-4751 Grace Lutheran Church 8700 Old Cedar Ave. S. 952-854-6638 Hillcrest United Methodist Church 9100 Russell Ave. S. 952-881-8601 Hillside Church 4300 W. 98th St. 952-831-5050 Holy Emmanuel Lutheran Church 201 E. 104th St. 952-888-2345 Jehovahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Witness Church 3211 108th St. 952-888-5166 Jesus is Lord Church 2829 W. 102nd St. 952-888-2402

Oak Grove Presbyterian Church 2200 W. Old Shakopee Road 952-888-4621 Oak Hill Church 8901 France Ave. S. 952-881-9486 Oasis of Power Fellowship 7910 12th Ave. S. 612-327-7740 Oxboro Evangelical Free Church 9431 Nicollet Ave. S. 952-881-6956 Peace Lutheran Church 8600 E. Bush Lake Road 952-944-6510 Portland Avenue United Methodist Church 8000 Portland Ave. S. 952-888-6070 (continued on next page) 29

(Faith, continued) Potterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House of Jesus Christ 8000 Portland Ave. S. 952-435-7757 Riverside Church 10201 Nicollet Ave. S. 952-888-4988 Sikh Society of Minnesota 9000 W. Bloomington Freeway 952-888-2705 Southtown Baptist Church 2600 W. 82nd St. 952-881-1122

St. Bonaventure Catholic Church 901 E. 90th St. 952-854-4733

St. Stephen Lutheran Church 8400 France Ave. S. 952-831-4746

St. Edwardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catholic Church 9401 Nesbitt Ave. S. 952-835-7101

Transfiguration Lutheran Church 11000 France Ave. S. 952-884-2364

St. Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lutheran Church 1701 W. Old Shakopee Road 952-881-5801

Unity South Church 7950 First Ave. S. 952-884-6656

St. Markâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s United Church of Christ 8630 Xerxes Ave. S. 952-831-3949

Slavic Baptist Church of Transfiguration 2600 W. 82nd St. 952-881-1122

St. Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lutheran Church 9201 Normandale Blvd.

952-831-5276

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10917 Valley View Road â&#x20AC;˘ Eden Prairie MN â&#x20AC;˘ 952-829-0797

Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

Historic sites honor city’s past

B

loomington has a rich history that dates back more than 150 years, and historic locations across the city showcase the city’s history every week.

Old Town Hall at Penn Avenue South and West Old Shakopee Road sits at a historic intersection. Prior to the pavement that carries cars and trucks through the city, an Indian trail from Shakopee to Fort Snelling, as well as a stagecoach route, passed through the area during years gone by.

Built in 1892 and renovated in 2007, Old Town Hall was used as a meeting place for the town board, community celebrations, dances and other festivities. The building served as headquarters for Bloomington’s government until 1964, when new city offices were built.

When city officials moved out, the Bloomington Historical Society and the Bloomington History Museum and Research Center moved in.

Today, visitors will see exhibits featuring artifacts from the early pioneer through agricultural periods, or about 1820 to 1900. Visitors can also purchase items from the gift shop. Popular gifts include Bloomington History blankets, history notecards and books on local history.

The museum is open noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

Well before the Old Town Hall was built, Gideon Pond settled in Bloomington in 1843 and built a mission. He had previously been a carpenter in Connecticut, but worked as a missionary and a farmer in Bloomington.

Pond studied the Dakota Indian language, edited a local newspaper and translated portions of the Bible. He also served the community as a minister and legislator.

He preached to the church until his resignation in 1874.

Pond’s brick house on the Bloomington bluffs was built in 1856. The more than 40,000 bricks in the house were made of clay from the Minnesota River Valley. Known today as the Gideon Pond House at Pond-Dakota Mission Park, the home was restored in 1995 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the oldest existing houses in Minnesota as well as one of the state’s most significant early historical sites.

Visitors to the Pond House and Mission Park will learn more about the life and times of Pond and his brother, Samuel, as well as the Dakota people and missionaries during the mid-19th century.

The Pond House is open 1:30-4 p.m. Sundays.

Old Town Hall History Museum 10200 Penn Ave. S. 952-881-4114 or 952-881-4327 bloomingtonhistoricalsociety.org Pond-Dakota Mission Park and Gideon Pond House 401 East 104th St. 952-563-8878 bit.ly/gideonpond 31

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Bloomington: All Your Dreams Within Reach

Maintaining a healthy community here are many services, public and private, available to help Bloomington residents maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The Bloomington Public Health Division offers many low- or no-cost services to help all Bloomington residents stay healthy. Many services are offered at the Public Health Center near Bloomington Civic Plaza, others are provided at community locations or in homes.

Online resources are also available, including emergency preparedness and health promotion information.

The Public Health Center offers preventative services, such as seasonal flu shots, immunizations for children and adults, and Mantoux tests for tuberculosis. Immunizations are available 3-5:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month, Mantoux tests are available 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Bloomington’s Heart Safe Communities Program offers free cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator training to groups in the community. CPR training kits are also available on loan for those who would like to learn CPR and AED use.

A supplemental nutrition program providing food vouchers and nutrition education for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5 is also available through the Public Health Center.

The program has income guidelines and is available by appointment.

Blood pressure screenings are available 12:30-3:30 p.m. weekdays, no appointment needed.

Resource and health information is also available over

the phone from public health nurses.

Clinic fees are based upon income and family size, although most services are available regardless of ability to pay. Some services are free and others may be covered by private health insurance, Medicaid or Medicare.

In-home services provided at no charge include support and health or parenting education for expectant mothers, new parents and families; information and support for families or individuals looking for guidance in dealing with stressful family living situations or violence; development screenings and evaluation with educational, health and social services assistance for parents with concerns about their child’s development; support and health or parenting education for adolescents, pregnant teens and teen parents; and health and safety assessments with advocacy, education or referral consultations for seniors and their family.

Services for seniors are offered monthly at Creekside Community Center, including “Talk with the Nurse” from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, and hearing screenings, by appointment only. Call 952-5634944 for an appointment.

Free breast and pelvic cancer screening exams are available to women meeting age and financial requirements at Sage Women’s Clinic in Edina. Information is available by calling 952-922-2427.

Public Health Center 1900 W. Old Shakopee Road 952-563-8900 bit.ly/bl-phd 33

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