Community Events 23

Message 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).

Paula McDevitt Administrator

MISSION

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