City of Bloomington, Indiana Parks and Recreation Department 2021 Annual Report

City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department

2021 Annual Report

Bryan Park Kids Triathlon July 2021

Message

from the Mayor As our community persevered through the pandemic, 2021 highlighted the resilience of our City’s public parks, trails, and programs. During this year of recovery, the City’s Parks and Recreation Department enriched our community by providing safe spaces that enhanced people’s physical and mental health.

These efforts culminated in another year of abundant parkland and trails, recreation activities for folks of all ages and abilities, and fitness and wellness programming that provided a much-needed respite from a second year of challenges due to the ongoing pandemic.

Our City’s Parks and Recreation staff provided essential services while achieving new successes in 2021. Throughout the year, the Department continued to meet crucial health guidelines while celebrating the reopening of several beloved facilities and the return of cherished events. Our community Mayor John Hamilton officially opens the playground at the was able to splash around in the City’s two outdoor Winslow Woods Park on December 17, 2021. pools, Bryan Park Pool and Mills Pool, since their closure during the height of the pandemic. Festivals and events, such as the Movies in the Parks series and the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market, allowed our community to congregate and socialize safely outdoors. Our facilities and programming saw an increased number of participants, with more than 1,600 participations in fitness classes and wellness programs recorded in 2021.

This adaptive spirit also inspired us to ensure our park infrastructure is resilient in times of climate crisis. Our urban forestry landscape was again recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation, as Bloomington was named a Tree City of the World for a second year. The Indiana Arborist Association awarded Switchyard Park for its outstanding urban forestry and native landscaping, celebrating the park’s landscape design and growing urban forest. These deserved recognitions highlighted our urban foresters’ ongoing dedication to maintaining a healthier community and planet.

These awards are in addition to national recognition for the Department’s outstanding service. Our Parks and Recreation Department again earned its place among the nation’s top parks and recreation agencies with its fifth accreditation through the National Recreation and Park Association’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. Achieving this significant accomplishment, during the upheaval of a pandemic, affirms the quality of the Department’s services and adaptive changes.

2021 continued to be a challenging year in many ways. However, our City of Bloomington parks, trails, and facilities remained beacons in our community. Our Parks and Recreation Department’s ingenuity led to another year in which we all were able to enjoy our plentiful trails, advance our health and wellness, and move forward together.

John Hamilton, Mayor City of Bloomington

M

essage from the Administrator

The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department started 2021 with continued COVID-19 safety protocols in place. Staff remained diligent to keep employees and participants safe and facilities open. The community used parks, miles of trails, playgrounds, play courts and open green spaces to find opportunities for both mental health and physical health breaks.

The launch of the OuterSpatial mobile app in April allowed users to stay updated on trail conditions and points of interest, and offered options to browse libraries of photos and find information about all the department has to offer!

The pandemic did not slow progress on several major projects. A creek streambank stabilization project, and accessible boardwalk and extension of the Cascades Park Trail, was initiated at Lower Cascades Park. The Griffy Lake accessible fishing pier and loop trail project also was underway in 2021.

The replacement of playgrounds at two different parks—Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park and Winslow Woods Park—was celebrated with ribbon cuttings, to the delight of many families.

The Board of Park Commissioners approved the department’s five-year (2021-2025) Master Plan, which includes the following goals.

Parks and Recreation Department Administrator Paula McDevitt welcomes community members to the Winslow Woods Park playground ribbon cutting December 17, 2021.

Goal #1–Maintain and enhance the assets and natural resources of the department Goal #2–Reinforce activities and programs to positively impact public health, sustainability, and climate action Goal #3–Prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion Goal #4–Develop administrative and staff capacity Each goal has a set of strategies and specific tasks assigned, with the intention to meet each goal by 2025.

The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department was re-accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies in June, meeting all 154 standards of operation. The department has been accredited since 2001 and is currently one of 166 accredited park and recreation agencies across the country.

The department staff celebrated 2021 with a staff retreat at the Banneker Community Center in November. The day was spent creating a new mission statement, identifying the department’s guiding values, brainstorming action items for the new strategic action plan goals, and assigning action teams to kick off 2022.

New staff who joined the department team in 2021 were Tim Street (Operations and Development Division Director), Robert Grubb (Urban Forestry Laborer II), Clarence Boone (Community Events Coordinator), Bradley Scoggins (Cascades Golf Course Motor Equipment Operator), and Jaynlynn Burney (Banneker Community Center Specialist).

COMMUNITY

Diversity

RESPECT FUN

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

SERVICE

VA LU E MISSION W EINCLUSION STEWARDSHIP

Paula McDevitt Administrator

ACCOUNTABILITY

2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 1

City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation

P

rogram

P

articipation

Participation is defined as the number of people times the number of visits/activity to a specific program or service.

The numbers below do not include any estimate of the number of visits to City parks or trails.

Twin Lakes Recreation Center . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .115,556 Community Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97,382 Adult Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55,350 Golf Services. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 48,122 Aquatics . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 33,934 Frank Southern Ice Arena. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19,256 Youth Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17,869 Banneker Community Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14,179

Natural Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13,133 Youth Programs/Inclusion . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,322 Health & Wellness . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,704 2021 Total Participations . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 420,637

Program Participation Percentage by Program Area

TLRC

Twin Lakes Recreation Center 27.5%

CE

Community Events 23.1%

AD

Adult Sports 13.2%

GS

Golf Services 11.6%

AQ

Aquatics 8%

FSC

Frank Southern Ice Arena 4.5%

YS

Youth Sports 4.2%

0 2

The remainder of programs account for less than 3% each of total program participation.

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10

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2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report

20

25

30

C

City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation

ondensed

F

inancial

S

ummary

for the year ended December 31, 2021 2021 Revenue

Tax Proceeds & Miscellaneous Subtotal—Tax & Miscellaneous Revenue

2021 Expenditures

$7,742,919 $7,742,919

Administration $23,087 Adult Sports $125,449 Aquatics—Bryan Park Pool $220,223 Aquatics—Mills Pool $30,858 Aquatics—Health and Safety $1,200 Banneker Community Center $25,360 Community Events $96,238 Community Events–Farmers’ Market $39,963 Community Relations $2,822 Frank Southern Ice Arena $159,436 Golf Services $1,088,813 Health & Wellness $4,744 Landscaping/Cemeteries/Urban Forestry $51,675 Natural Resources $49,414 Operations $131,747 Switchyard Park $51,346 Twin Lakes Recreation Center Reserve $98,932 Twin Lakes Recreation Center $497,393 Youth Programs $141,789 Youth Sports $40,429 TOTAL Program Revenue/Expenses $10,623,837 Grants $126,184 Capital Related/Capital Expenditures TOTAL Revenue/Expenses $10,750,021

$766,524 $329,909 $288,220 $94,049 $1,866 $347,420 $456,133 $107,264 $426,530 $340,622 $867,644 $90,080 $1,163,697 $378,693 $1,834,477 $242,594 $0 $1,219,453 $267,691 $291,733 $9,720,295 $120,626 $13,520 $10,117,670

*unaudited financial data

2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 3

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 and 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. Natural Resources staff offer outdoor recreational, educational, and volunteer opportunities.

• Demolished old playground at Reverend Ernest D. Butler Park and

•

• • • • •

removed 16 loads of engineered wood fiber surfacing to prepare for installation of new playground. Held a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new playground on July 22.

Removed light bollards from Peoples Park to make room for new hanging ring light, part of a park redesign project that included upgraded electrical service, sealed and stamped concrete, and re-positioning of the limestone “Bench in the Shape of Opposing Wings” sculpture.

Installed new poster kiosk at the tennis courts at RCA Community Park.

Repaired sections of the Bloomington Rail Trail and B-Line Trail when torrential rain on June 18 caused significant damage to trails.

Dropped 19 tons of #2 stone in entry drive and parking lot at Ferguson Dog Park, and 40 tons of quarter-minus on walkways through the park.

Demolished the old playground at Winslow Woods Park and installed new play equipment. Held a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new playground on December 17.

Began work in November to install a new picnic shelter at Leonard Springs Nature Park.

C

emeteries

• Installed 13 tons of river rock in the void where a fountain at Rose

Hill Cemetery once was located; added two large concrete planters.

• Planted 94 native roses along north and east walls of Old Spencer, • •

• •

4

Mausoleum, and Fountain Plaza, and planted 40 native flowering trees and shrubs.

American Legion Burton Woolery Post #18 distributed 742 flags on veterans’ graves in recognition of Memorial Day. Received Housing and Urban Development Department Neighborhood Impact Grant through the Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association for $4,410 to fund the purchase and installation of seven additional section markers in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Repaired a total of 26 headstones at Rose Hill Cemetery during three different headstone restoration workshops.

Conducted volunteer invasive plant removal events for volunteers, who targeted purple wintercreeper, Asian bush honeysuckle and invasive vines.

2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report

Operations 2021 Program Activity Shelter Rentals Bryan Park–Henderson 84 Bryan Park–North 91 Bryan Park–Woodlawn 116 Building Trades 31 Sycamore–Lower Cascades 94 Waterfall–Lower Cascades 9 Young Pavilion–Olcott 63 Lions Den–Upper Cascades 76 RCA Community Park -Small Shelter 29 RCA Community Park - Group Shelter 48 Switchyard Park 94 Winslow Woods 56 Total 2021 Rentals 791

Program Revenue General Fund $0 Non-Reverting $131,747 Total 2021 Revenue $131,747 Program Expenses General Fund $1,750,670 Non-Reverting $83,807 Total 2021 Expenses $1,834,477

Local Scout Troops participated in the observance of Memorial Day by placing American flags on the graves of 742 different veterans at Rose Hill. Cemetery.

U

rban Forestry

• Bloomington Parks and Recreation staff planted a total of 269 trees on public property (39 in city parks and 230

in public rights-of-way). The most popular trees selected for planting were Adirondack crabapple (30), Kentucky coffeetree (24), Eastern redbud (23), and shingle oak (17).

Pruned a total of 387 publicly owned trees (28 in city parks and 359 along city streets) A total of 73 ash trees received treatments for protection from the Emerald Ash Borer - the 8th consecutive year of EAB treatment. Of those trees receiving treatments, 23 were in city parks and 50 were along city streets.

Bloomington was named Tree City of the World by the Arbor Day Foundation, and received both Tree City USA designation and a Tree City USA Growth Award.

Conducted a joint volunteer tree planting event with CanopyBloomington that planted 23 trees in public rights-of-way and an additional 10 trees planted by CanopyBloomington on residential properties.

• • • •

L

andscaping

• Contracted with Eco Logic to install native plantings at Miller-Showers Park.

• Planted a total of 4,900 bare root native tree seedlings at the Goat Farm, Park Ridge East, Southeast, and Schmalz • • • • • • •

Farm Parks.

Planted 133 native trees at Ferguson Dog Park and 110 native trees at Southeast Park.

Hosted Earth Day celebration at Southeast Park on April 24.

Planted a total of 2,728 different native plants representing 40 different species at 13 city parks and facilities.

Contracted with Green Dragon Lawn Care for mowing and trimming services at 36 city park locations.

Purchased battery powered ground maintenance equipment for use by Switchyard Park and urban greesnpace landscaping teams.

Replaced landscaping around sign and flagpole at Seminary Park with turf for ease of maintenance.

Planted 3,000 daffodils at multiple locations in downtown Bloomington.

Urban Forestry/Landscaping/Cemeteries 2021 Program Activity Rose Hill Cemetery Lot Sales (cremation ground lots) 10 Mausoleum niche sales 1 Interments 7 Inurnments 23 Disinterments 0 Plot Surveys 2 White Oak Cemetery Lot Sales 24 Interments 6 Inurnments 0 Disinterments 0

Program Revenue General Fund $41,800 Non-Reverting $9,875 Total 2021 Revenue $51,675 Program Expenses General Fund $1,161,377 Non-Reverting $2,320 Total 2021 Expenses $1,163,697

2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 5

N

atural Resources

• Co-hosted Get Outdoors Day at Switchyard Park on June 12, Bird Fest at Switchyard Park on Sept. 18, and Bugfest at Hilltop Garden and Nature Center on Oct. 2.

• Closed the watercraft rental operations at the Griffy Lake boathouse on Aug. 2 when the lake levels were lowered by four feet • • • •

to allow potential bidders on the accessible fishing pier and loop trail project a clear view of the lake bed and shoreline. Lake levels were allowed to return to normal pool and the boathouse re-opened on Sept. 23.

Installed new 40’ x 10’ accessible kayak launch at Griffy Lake boathouse.

Launched the free OuterSpatial mobile app, with park locations, trail maps, event lists, volunteer opportunities, and curated tours on April 5.

In December, the first phase of construction of the Griffy Loop Trail across the Griffy Lake causeway, and the Griffy Lake accessible fishing pier project, began.

Forty-seven deer were removed from Griffy Lake Nature Preserve through the Community Hunting Access Program (CHAP) over three weekends in November.

Adopt-A Programs Adopt-A-Stream 10 volunteers contributed 98 hours Adopt-A-Trail 11 volunteers contributed 90 hours Adopt-An-Acre 6 volunteers contributed 46 hours

Natural Resources 2021 Program Activity Griffy Lake Annual Boat Launch Permits 146 Boat Rentals 3,143 10-Rental Pass/Misc. Rentals 28 Rental Hours 4,319 Daily Launch Permits 509 Afterschool Nature Days 187 Banneker Nature Days 330 Environmental Resources Ad Council 47 Great Outdoors 449 Griffy Lake Nature Day 510 Group Visits 201 Hoosier Riverwatch 123 Leonard Springs Nature Day 583 Naturalist at the Market 505 Roving Naturalist 1,927 Volunteers 126 Total 2021 Participations 13,133

Program Revenue General Fund $45 Non-Reverting $49,369 Total 2021 Revenue $49,414 Program Expenses General Fund $354,656 Non-Reverting $24,037 Total 2021 Expenses $378,693

Visitors meet Charlie Bird at Bird Fest at Switchyard Park Sept. 18.

The event was co-presented by the Sassafras Audubon Society.

Staff took advantage of the drawdown of Griffy Lake in August to make upgrades to the fishing structures along the lake shore south of the boathouse parking lot.

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2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report

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, Winslow Sports Complex, and a variety of other department-owned and -operated facilities.

A

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 2021 Program Activity Bryan Park Pool Admissions 27,260 Season Passes 440 20-Punch Economy Passes 235 Swim Lessons 806

Bryan Park Pool Program Revenue General Fund $140,264 Non-Reverting $79,959 Total 2021 Revenue $220,223

Mills Pool Admissions 5,040 Pool Rental Attendance 0

Program Expenses General Fund $252,830 Non-Reverting $35,390 Total 2021 Expenses $288,220

Health & Safety First Aid/CPR/AED 48 Lifeguarding 48 Water Safety Instructor 57 Total 2021 Participations

33,934

dult Sports

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

•

Mills Pool Program Revenue General Fund $27,827 Non-Reverting $3,031 Total 2021 Revenue $30,858 Program Expenses General Fund $93,432 Non-Reverting $617 Total 2021 Expenses $94,049

A

• Introduced a new

•

season admission pass that added convenience and discounts for participants.

Hosted multiple community groups including: Monroe County United Ministries, Boys & Girls Clubs, Kid City Summer Camp, and Middle Way House.

Bryan Park Pool hosted 33 rentals.

Adult Sports 2021 Program Activity

Softball 17,238 Softball Tournaments 23,428 Rentals 14,684 Total 2021 Participations 55,350

Program Revenue General Fund $30,600 Non-Reverting $94,849 Total 2021 Revenue $125,449 Program Expenses General Fund $246,990 Non-Reverting $82,919 Total 2021 Expenses $329,909

2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 7

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.

Y

outh Sports

• Entered agreement

with GreenScapers Professional Turf and Tree Care for $4,119 to upgrade turf conditions at Olcott Park through soil testing, core aeration, slit seeding, fertilization, and weed control.

Youth Sports 2021 Program Activity Youth Sports BJLBA Youth Baseball 4,343 Bloomington Football Club 6,970 Cutters Soccer-Olcott Park 145 Girls Fastpitch Softball 0 Jackson Creek MS Sports 2,287 Monroe Co. Sr. League Baseball 1,071 Olcott Park Kickball 1,935 Rentals (Winslow Sports Complex) 1,118 Tennis 0 Youth Softball Tournament 0 Total 2021 Participations

F

Program Revenue General Fund $32,909 Non-Reverting $7,520 Total 2021 Revenue $40,429 Program Expenses General Fund $283,170 Non-Reverting $8,563 Total 2021 Expenses $291,733

17,869

rank Southern Ice Arena Frank Southern Ice Arena 2021 Program Activity

Frank Southern Ice Arena provides recreational and organized ice skating to ice enthusiasts from Bloomington and surrounding communities.

Adult Hockey League Blades Hockey Bloomington Figure Skating Club Hockey Initiation Holiday Public Skating Ice Show IU Figure Skating IU Hockey IU Learn to Skate IU Women’s Club Hockey The Skating School Private Rentals Public Skating Admissions Special Events Youth Hockey Total 2021 Participations

749 1,013 451 173 420 395 97 1,044 618 129 2,153 1,167 7,492 0 2,449 17,601

Program Revenue General Fund $105,137 Non-Reverting $54,299 Total 2021 Revenue $159,436 Program Expenses General Fund $298,585 Non-Reverting $42,037 Total 2021 Expenses $340,622

• Hosted Indiana University Recreational Sports Womens Hockey for the first time in 2021.

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2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report

Twin Lakes

Recreation Center • Lighting in front lobby upgraded to LED fixtures • Lighting in weight room transitioned to LED fixtures • Finalized installation of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air • • • •

conditioning) sytem in facility Generated an additional $75,000 in membership revenue over 2020 ($169,000 in 2020, $244,000 in 2021) SilverSneakers program participation recovered to prepandemic levels: 16,200 visits in 2019, 0 visits in 2020, and 16,842 visits in 2021.

Generated $123,000 in revenue via the rental of court space; only three of the five courts were available for rent January through May due to COVID physical distancing restrictions.

The TLRC was unable to hold its regular tournaments and events from January through August, due to COVID restrictions related to gathering limits. As gathering limits were increased or eliminated, tournaments and events were again permitted to take place.

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.

Twin Lakes Recreation Center 2021 Program Activity TLRC Programs 50+ Activities 75 Aerial Silks 8 Bloomington Youth Basketball 20,535 Courts 21,085 Events 8,517 Party Room Rentals 0 Members 57,994 Turf 7,342 Tournaments 0 Total 2021 Participations 115,556

Program Revenue General Fund $0 Non-Reverting $497,393 Total 2021 Revenue $497,393 TLRC Reserve Non-Reverting

$98,932

Program Expenses General Fund $277,365 Non-Reverting $942,088 Total 2021 Expenses $1,219,453

Top: Bloomington Youth Basketball Second Grade team with coach Kyle Porter; right: Boot Camp group ex class.

2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 9

Golf Services 2021 Program Activity Rounds Played 29,670 Adult Season Pass 67 Family Season Pass 6 Senior Season Pass 140 Youth Season Pass 16 Student Season Pass 39 Range Ball Buckets 17,948 First Tee of Bloomington 213 Junior Golf 23 Clubhouse rentals (avg. participation) 830 Total 2021 Participations 48,952

Program Revenue General Fund $854,919 Non-Reverting $233,894 Total 2021 Revenue $1,088,813 Program Expenses General Fund $720,027 Non-Reverting $147,617 Total 2021 Expenses $867,644

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.

(L) First Tee of Bloomington is a half-day summer camp that teaches the fundamentals of golf. (Below) The Cascades Golf Course Clubhouse was rented 110 times in 2021.

• Cascades Golf Course recorded a record number of 29,670 • • •

18-hole rounds, a 2% increase over 2020 and 40% increase from 2019.

Cascades Golf Course clubhouse was rented 110 times in 2021 (81 outings and internal City of Bloomington rentals and 29 external rentals).

Served as the home course for Edgewood High School and Bloomington North High School Boys and Girls golf teams.

Hosted 48 golf outings, including the Bloomington Parks Foundation annual Don Brineman Memorial Golf Scramble.

(L-R) Bob Goodrich, Mick Renneisen, and Janice Peterson sit on a memorial bench near the putting green. The bench was dedicated to the memory of Jim Peterson in a ceremony on July 16, 2021.

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2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report

Recreation

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.

Y

outh Programs

Youth Programs • Kid City Summer Camp operated at maximum capacity (as set by COVID safety standards) and served 74 unique campers.

• Break Days were offered during 16 different days when Monroe County Community Schools were not in session, including Spring Break and over the winter holidays.

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.

Inclusive Recreation • Served campers in Kid City Summer Camp and Banneker Camp, and youth enrolled in The Skating School ice skating lessons.

• Facility rentals re-opened at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center.

Youth Programs/Inclusion 2021 Program Activity Adult/Family Sailing 78 Ballroom Dancing 0 Banneker Inclusion 51 Break Days 249 Break Days—Inclusion 16 Kid City Camps—Inclusion 145 Kid City Camps—Total 1,239 Rentals 115 Sports Lessons/Programs Inclusion 8 Youth Sailing Camp 1,421 Total 2021 Participations 3,322

Program Revenue General Fund $0 Non-Reverting $141,789 Total 2021 Revenue $141,789 Program Expenses General Fund $145,840 Non-Reverting $121,851 Total 2021 Expenses $267,691

ORIGINAL 2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 11

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.

• • • • • • • •

12

Created “Happy Hours on the Lawn” at Switchyard Park, a new addition to the Performing Arts Series. Happy Hours on the Lawn included the sale of beer and wine.

All available plots in the city’s three community gardens (Willie Streeter Community Gardens, Butler Park Community Gardens, and Switchyard Park Community Gardens) were rented in 2021.

The Community Gardening program continued its focus on soil health in the gardens by growing cover crops and launching on-site compost sales.

Prioritized diversity in hiring practices for Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market seasonal staff.

Created a new event, “Harvest of the World”, at the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market. The event featured performing artists from a variety of global cultures, and a recipe booklet highlighting international cuisine to help broaden understanding of diverse foods and farmers at the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market.

Modified the annual Independence Day Parade with a “Reverse Parade”, making the parade floats and entries stationary while attendees drove past to view the displays. This novel approach to the traditional parade was well received with 28 entries and more than 1,700 spectators.

Expanded the popular Glow in the Park event by creating a “glow weekend” that included a Splash and Glow Party at the Community Foundation Switchyard Plaza Spray Pad and a Glow in the Dark Scavenger Hunt as well as Glow in the Park.

A total of 600 participants attended the three events.

Clarence Boone joined the Bloomington Parks and Recreation staff as the Program/Facility Coordinator, overseeing the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market and the community gardens.

Dearly Departed Cemetery Tour Rose Hill Cemetery

Tuesday Market Switchyard Park Pavilion

Touch a Truck Winslow Sports Complex

Performing Arts Series Sundays in Bryan Park

2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report

Community Events 2021 Program Activity 50+ Expo 208 A Fair of the Arts 1,408 Bloomington Championship Trivia 248 Cemetery Tours 127 Children’s Expo 764 Community Gardens 16,575 Dodgeball Tournament 24 Drool in the Pool 249 Farmers’ Market­—Saturday 47,445 Farmers’ Market—Saturday Vendors 1,223 Farmers’ Market—Tuesday 4,910 Farmers’ Market—Tuesday Vendors 146 Festival of Ghost Stories 132 Flurry Scurry Pajama Run (cancelled) 0 Fourth of July Reverse Parade 1,712 Garden Classes 81 Glow in the Dark Scavenger Hunt 193 Glow in the Park 275 Holiday Market 7,134 Howl at the Moon Dog Walk 50 Junk in the Trunk 587 Mad Paws Doggie Egg Hunt 191 Mobile Stage Rentals 3 Movies in the Park 889 Nature Sounds 112 Outdoor Escape Room 257 Peoples Park Concerts 1,845 Plant Flowers with Mom 27 Pop-Up Programs 170 Performing Arts Series 5,144 Pumpkin Launch 300 Sensory Friendly Photos with Santa 30 Skate & Scare 206 Skate with Santa 300 Slip ‘N Foam 120 Splash & Glow 132 Spring Fling Pop Up Series 151 Summer Solstice Celebration 209 Touch a Truck 1,500 Trick or Treat Trail 850 Winter Lights, December Nights 1,325 Winter Palooza 103 Yappy Hours 27 Total 2021 Participations 97,382*

Program Revenue—Community Events General Fund $5,908 Non-Reverting $90,330 Total 2021 Revenue $96,238 Program Expenses—Community Events General Fund $399,649 Non-Reverting $56,484 Total 2021 Expenses $456,133

Program Revenue—Farmers’ Market General Fund $0 Non-Reverting $39,963 Total 2021 Revenue $39,963 Program Expenses—Farmers’ Market General Fund $103 Non-Reverting $107,161 Total 2021 Expenses $107,264

*Does not reflect the number of canine program participants: Drool in the Pool (169 dogs), Mad Paws Doggie Egg Hunt (117 dogs), Howl at the Moon (35 dogs) or Yappy Hours (20 dogs).

2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 13

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 provide programs and activities that connect the Bloomington community through a cultural and nutritional hub.

B

anneker Community Center

• Banneker Camp returned to the facility in person, including the end-of-summer Block Party. An additional 20 people received delivered meals.

• The Banneker nutrition hub completed a robust survey with the help of the IU School of Public Health.

• Plans were made to expand the backyard garden area and programming in 2022, to include cooking, family meal nights, and meal distribution.

• Secured funding to replace the carpet in the third floor Family Resource Center.

• Launched the Westside Collective podcast with eight different episodes.

• Jaylynn Burney joined the Bloomington Parks and Recreation staff as the Program Specialist at Banneker.

Banneker Community Center 2021 Program Activity After-School Programs 3,162 Break Days 0 Gym Drop-ins 1,086 Drop-ins 680 Family Resource Center 376 Food Service Program 1,170 IU School of Nursing 0 LEARN Homeschool 0 Monroe Co. Comm. School Corp.

85 Other Events 476 Paid Rentals 6,192 Preschool Programs 1,783 Special Olympics/Life Designs 50 Teen Night Owls/Mentoring 0 Waived Rentals 289 Total 2021 Participations 14,179

Program Revenue General Fund $15,789 Non-Reverting $9,571 Total 2021 Revenue $25,360 Program Expenses General Fund $340,689 Non-Reverting $6,731 Total 2021 Expenses $347,420

Banneker Camp staff

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2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report

B

uskirk-Chumley Theater Buskirk-Chumley Theater 2021 Program Activity Days of Use Rentals 84 BCT Presents 83 2021 Attendance Rentals 10,776 BCT Presents 4,184 Photo courtesy of Indiana Public Media.

Annual report figures provided by BCT Managment, Inc.

H

ealth 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.

• Collaborated with the Twin Lakes Recreation Center’s group exercise program to hold more than 100 different fitness classes outdoors at Switchyard Park during the summer months.

• Created the Winter Wander Challenge, an online, app-based physical activity program that rewarded participants for meeting and exceeding physical activity goals.

• Implemented Public Health in Parks program at Seminary Park and Switchyard Park.

• Assisted the Community and Family Resources Department with a community-wide Community Health Needs Assessment survey.

Health and Wellness 2021 Program Activity Active Living Coalition 11 Bloomington Walking Club 42 Bryan Park Kids Triathlon 27 Employee Health Fair 0 Get Onboard Active Living (G.O.A.L.) 69 Passport to Play 820 Rigamajig & Imagination Playground 125 Switchyard Park Fitness Classes 482 Veterans Day 5K Run/Ruck 53 Winter Wander 75 Total 2021 Participations 1,704

Program Revenue General Fund $0 Non-Reverting $4,744 Total 2021 Revenue $4,744 Program Expenses General Fund $85,291 Non-Reverting $4,789 Total 2021 Expenses $90,080

2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 15

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 hosted more than 360 public and private events in 2021, including The Chocolate Moose’s Food Truck Fridays.

Sixteen Park Special Use Permits were granted for use of park facilities.

Continuously mowed 681,207 square feet of grass, beginning in April and ending in October.

The Bloomington Lions Club dedicated the three-bay “porch swing” next to the Community Foundation Switchyard Plaza Spray Pad at Switchyard Park on Oct. 18. Plaques recognizing the Bloomington Lions Club were installed on the front and back of the swing.

The city’s Economic and Sustainable Development Department held a dedication of the public art installations “North Star” and “Hoosier Line” on the Community Foundation Switchyard Plaza spray pad building at Switchyard Park on Nov. 19.

Completed drainage repairs in the large dog chamber at the Switchyard Park dog park to eliminate standing water and puddling.

Created the Department’s first-ever holiday light display “Winter Lights, December Nights” throughout Switchyard Park on December 10 and 11. A total of 1,325 people attended over the two nights.

Bloomington Lions Club swing dedication October 18, 2021

Switchyard Park 2021 Program Activity Program Revenue General Fund $0 Non-Reverting $51,346 Total 2021 Revenue $51,346 Program Expenses General Fund $423,326 Non-Reverting $24,964 Total 2021 Expenses $448,290 Splash & Glow Party at the Community Foundation Switchyard Plaza Spray Pad on Sept. 16.

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2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report

B

ond Projects

The Bloomington City Council and the Board of Park Commissioners authorized the issuance of five Park District Bonds in 2016, and three Park District Bonds (“Bicentennial Bonds”) in 2018, intended to improve City Parks by upgrading infrastructure, developing multi-use trails, and planting trees.

Winslow Woods Park 2016 Park District Bonds • $175,664 • Construct new playground, completed in 2021 2021 Projects RCA Community Park • $38,668 • Crack repair and court resurfacing work on the tennis and pickleball courts at RCA Community Park.

Peoples Park • $77,900 • Upgrades completed in 2021 included installation of overhead ‘ring light’, relocating limestone sculpture within the park, and replacing and resealing bomanite architectural concrete in parts of the park.

Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park playground • $69,638 • Installed new playground and held ribbon cutting ceremony July 22.

Winslow Sports Park Trail Lighting • $28,000 • 16 new trail bollard lights are installed

2018 Bicentennial “Trees & Trails” Bonds

Cascades Park Trail Phase 5 and Streambank Stabilization Project • $1,829,118 for the Cascades Trail Phase 5 and Streambank Stabilization Project.

-$1,020,618 Bicentennial Trees & Trails Bond -$508,500 General Obligation Bond -$300,000 Redevelopment Commission TIF District Funding • Road through Lower Cascades Park paved; repaired flood damage and added traffic calming devices.

• Cascades Park Trail from the Sycamore Shelter south to Waterfall Shelter paved, and trail hub added.

• Contractors poured concrete footers and began placement of limestone blocks along creek bank.

Street Tree Planting • $800,000 • Parks and Recreation urban forestry staff identified 552 potential vacant tree planting spots in four different designated project areas throughout the city. The project areas targeted for tree planting were identified using a combination of available locations for tree plantings, socio-economic data and tree canopy cover percentages.

New ring light fixture at Peoples Park.

2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 17

A dministration

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

• The Board of Park Commissioners approved Parks

•

•

•

Resolution 21-02 adopting the 2021-2025 Master Plan. A current Master Plan is required for national accreditation status.

The Department was reaccredited through the National Recreation and Park Association Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies. The Department is proud to be one of 192 nationally accredited departments in the country. Reaccreditation was accomplished by passing all 154 standards in the areas of operations, planning, finances, community involvement, and evaluation.

Customer Service staff received 62 hours of training in the following areas: 33 hours in RecTrac, 12.5 hours in Bias, eight hours for Notary, and six hours in “other”.

Comprehensive Board packets were prepared for 15 Board of Park Commissioners meetings.

The packets included a total of 136 contracts, 62 partnerships and six policies that were presented for review/approval.

C

ommunity Relations

Administration 2021 Program Activity Program Revenue General Fund $388 Non-Reverting $22,699 Total 2021 Revenue $23,087 Program Expenses General Fund $759,357 Non-Reverting $7,167 Total 2021 Expenses $766,524

• To maintain COVID safety protocols, office staffing was kept to two staff members per day to provide in-person customer service. Remaining staff were available to provide remote support.

Community Relations coordinates graphic design, promotions, marketing, sponsors, and volunteers.

• Designed and completed 486 print and digital marketing pieces.

• Social Media and Digital Content Team managed event,

•

•

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marketing, and informational postings and provided relevant content about Parks programs and facilities on 10 different Facebook pages and three different Instagram channels.

Obtained $67,000 in monetary sponsorships and facility advertising sales from 94 different businesses and individuals for Parks and Recreation programs and events.

Managed 885 volunteers who contributed a total of 4,215 hours of service to the Department.

Volunteers plant trees at Southeast Park in October..

Park Partner Award for outstanding partnerships

Bravo Award-presented to outstanding volunteers

Sterling Real Estate, for generous ongoing support of the Performing Arts Series program Choice Realty & Management, for generous ongoing support of the Performing Arts and Movies in the Parks Series Green Hat Media, for virtual program production support

Mary Jean Cappiello, Park Ambassador Danny Muller, Park Ambassador Gillian Field, Weed Wrangles at Lower Cascades & Southeast Parks Hayden Klopp, for service at multiple Parks & Recreation events and programs Garrett Middleton, Park Ambassador Pip Chamberlain, Bloomington Youth Basketball coach

2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report

Partnerships The Parks and Recreation Department entered into 39 partnership and cooperative service agreements to maximize available resources and avoid duplication of services. The Department is proud to partner and collaborate with these organizations in 2021: • Area 10 Agency on Aging Endwright East Active Living Community Center • Artisan Alley • BCT Management, Inc. • Bird Fest • Bloomington Football Club • Bloomington High School North • Bloomington Junior League Baseball Association • Bloomington PRIDE • Bloomington Soccer LLC • CanopyBloomington • Cardinal Stage Company • Centerstone of Indiana • Code & Key Escape Room • Downtown Bloomington Inc. • EarthKeepers • Edgewood High School • El Mercado • IU Health Bloomington • Indiana University • Indiana University Outdoor Adventures • Indiana University Uplands Maker Mobile • Indiana University Wheelchair Basketball Club • Kiwanis Club of Bloomington • Lake Monroe Sailing Association • Mad 4 My Dog • MC Tennis • Middle Way House Inc. • Monroe County Civic Theater • Monroe County Health Department • Monroe County History Center • Monroe County - Identify and Reduce Invasive Species (MC-IRIS) • Monroe County Public Library • Monroe County Senior League Baseball Association • Monroe County United Ministries • The Plant Truck Project • The Ryder Magazine and Film Series • Special Olympics Indiana • Summer Star Foundation • Trustees of Indiana University

Grants and Awards The Department actively pursues grant opportunities to supplement funding received through other sources.

National Recreation and Park Association Parks as Community Nutrition Hubs: Expanding Access to Healthy Foods Grant . .. . .. ... . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . . .. . .. ... . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . . .. . .. ... . .$40,000 Banneker Community Center Indiana Department of Natural Resources Community Hunting Access Program (CHAP) . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. $25,000 Natural Resources Monroe County Community School Corporation 21st Century Community Learning Center (2021-22 school year) .. . .. .$43,000 Banneker Community Center Summer Star Foundation for Nature Art and Humanity Inc. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. .. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. .$12,244 Leonard Springs Nature Days U.S. Department of Agriculture Summer Food Service Program. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. .$12,898 Banneker Community Center Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) Grant . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . . .. . $5,498 Griffy Lake Aquatic Vegetation Management Summer Star Foundation for Nature Art and Humanity Inc. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. .. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. .. .$3,108 Banneker Summer Nature Days Summer Star Foundation for Nature Art and Humanity Inc. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. .. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. .$2,230 Griffy Lake Nature Days National Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA Designation— 37th consecutive year

2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 19

Staff

Parks and Recreation Department staff in November 2021 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 Paula McDevitt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Administrator Ellen Campbell. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Graphic Designer Kim Clapp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Office Manager Missy Grabowski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Customer Service Representative Tiffany Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Customer Service Representative Brenda McGlothlin. . . . . . . . . . . . Customer Service Representative Sarah Owen. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Community Relations Coordinator Ethan Philbeck . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Customer Service Representative Julie Ramey. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Community Relations Manager Operations & Natural Resources Tim Street. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operations and Development Director John Barnes. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .Master Motor Equipment Operator Marie Becker. .. .. .. .. .. Urban Greenspace Working Foreperson Jon Behrman. . . . . . . . . . . Natural Resources Working Foreperson Steve Cotter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Natural Resources Manager Barb Dunbar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Operations Division Coordinator Don Foddrill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facilities Working Foreperson Dave Fox. . . . . . . . . Sanitation and Grounds Working Foreperson Curtis Gilstrap..Cemeteries/Landscaping Working Foreperson Bob Grubb . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . Urban Forestry Laborer II Erin Hatch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Urban Forester Mike Hollingsworth. .. .. .. .. .. Facilities Maintenance Mechanic Mark Marotz . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . Operations Superintendent Phil Paris. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laborer II Anthony Robertson. . . . . . . . . . Equipment Maintenance Mechanic Dennis Robertson. . . . . . . . . . . Master Motor Equipment Operator Jim Salisbury. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Laborer II Haskell Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Urban Forestry Laborer II Joanna Sparks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . City Landscaper Rebecca Swift. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Natural Resources Coordinator Rob Turpin . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Operations Crew Leader 20

2021 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report

Recreation Becky Higgins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recreation Services Director Clarence Boone... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community Events Coordinator Leslie Brinson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community Events Manager Cory Hawkins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Program Specialist Jaylynn Burney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Program Specialist Jess Klein. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Health & Wellness Coordinator Hsiung Marler... . . . . . . . . . . . . . General Manager Switchyard Park Sarah Mullin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Program Specialist Erik Pearson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Program Coordinator Bill Ream. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Program/Facility Coordinator Crystal Ritter. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .Community Events Coordinator Amy Shrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inclusive Recreation Coordinator Ashley Spurgeon. .. .. .. .Community Events Program Specialist Maggie Tull. . . . . . . . . . . . . Switchyard Park Working Foreperson Sports John Turnbull. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sports Division Director Aaron Craig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Golf Facilities Manager Daren Eads . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .Program/Facility Coordinator Dan Kluesner. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Sports Laborer Chris Lamb . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Athletic Fields Working Foreperson Scott Pedersen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Youth Sports Coordinator James Richardson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Motor Equipment Operator Brad Scroggins... . . . . . . . . . . . . Master Motor Equipment Operator Jason Sims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Golf Programs Coordinator Megan Stark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Membership Coordinator Mark Sterner . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Sports Area Manager Dee Tuttle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sports Facility/Programs Manager Operations Director Tim Street (L) and Department Administrator Paula McDevitt attend a public meeting about facility upgrades at the Goat Farm Park in November.

M

essage from the Board of Park Commissioners If you were to follow the Bloomington Parks and Recreation calendar through the year you would quickly see that leisure rarely takes a day off in our city. That was especially true in the past two years as citizens, exhausted by COVID, looked for green spaces to refresh and renew their spirits.

From Winter Palooza in February to community gardening in April, softball, tennis, and swimming in the summer to the Pumpkin Launch near Halloween and ice skating with Santa in December, exercise and connection were more important than ever this past year.

The nationally recognized and award-winning Parks and Recreation Department worked tirelessly in 2021 to offer trails, parks, pools, an ice arena, a golf course, and countless special events for citizens of all ages and abilities. As COVID-19 rules shifted and changed, the Parks and Recreation Department was ready to ensure a safe and fun environment for all participants.

Many Parks and Recreation programs are free or low cost. The Department is especially attentive to making sure recreation activities are available and accessible to a variety of people, from little kids going on field trips with the Banneker Community Center to adults gathering for walking groups and pickleball.

Board of Park Commissioners President Kathleen Mills (in sunglasses) at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park Playground, July 22, 2021.

The Board of Park Commissioners is also grateful to the Bloomington Parks Foundation for providing tens of thousands of dollars in support of parks programming.

Even more recreation opportunities are always on the horizon. Griffy Lake is gaining an accessible fishing pier, the Perimeter Trail at Bryan Park is being updated, and additional trails and trees throughout the city are in the plans.

On behalf of the Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners, I invite you to enjoy our gorgeous parks, trails, and other recreation opportunities.

Kathleen Mills, President Board of Park Commissioners

M ission Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department will provide essential services, facilities and programs necessary for the positive development and well-being of the community through the provision of parks, greenways, trails and recreational facilities while working in cooperation with other service providers in the community in order to maximize all available resources.

Vision

We strive to provide the highest quality parks, recreation services and greenspace to enhance the quality of life for our community.

Values

diversity l service l respect l stewardship l quality l accountability l progressive l responsive

Mayor

John Hamilton

Administrator Paula McDevitt

Board of Park Commissioners Israel Herrera Kathleen Mills Ellen Rodkey Jim Whitlatch

Bloomington Parks Foundation 2021 Board of Directors Chris Quackenbush, President Sally Baird Doug Bruce John Carter Les Coyne Ted Ferguson Chris Hawk John Hurlow Debbie Lemon Erin Martoglio Aaron Mobley Tony Mobley Jim Murphy Ben Niehoff Valerie Pena Tony Rastall Ellen Rodkey Gary Scott David Skirvin Karin St. John Jon Tichenor Travis Vencel

Emeritus Members Frank Barnhart Doris Brineman Steve Ferguson Art Lotz Pat Mulholland Gayle Stuebe

Bloomington Symphony Orchestra on the Main Stage at Switchyard Park