City Parks and Trails

City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Dept.

City Parks & Trails The Waldron, Hill, and Buskirk Park playground Built by 366 community volunteers May 20, 2011

Updated May 2011

Table of Contents B‐Line Trail……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1 Bloomington Rail Trail…………………………………………………………………………………………………..2 Broadview Park…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3 Bryan Park……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4 Building Trades Park……………………….…………………………………………………………………………...5 Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park and Community Gardens……………………………………………………..6 Lower Cascades Park…………………………………………………………………………………………………….7 Upper Cascades Park and Skate Park…………………………………………………………………………...8 Clear Creek Trail…………………………………………………………………………………………………………...9 Crestmont Park and Community Gardens………………………………………………………..…………10 Goat Farm………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10 Griffy Lake Nature Preserve………………………………………………………………………………………..11 Highland Village Park………………………………………………………………………………………………….12 Jackson Creek Trail……………………………………………………………………………………………………..13 Latimer Woods…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..14 Leonard Springs Nature Park……………………………………………………………………………………...15 Miller‐Showers Park…………………………………………………………………………………………………...16 Olcott Park………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….17 Park Ridge East Park…………………………………………………………………………………………………..18 Park Ridge Park……………………………………...….………………………………………………………………19 Peoples Park……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….20 RCA Community Park………………………………………………………………………………………………….21 Schmalz Farm Park……………………………………………………………………………………………………..22 Sherwood Oaks Park…………………………………………………………………………………………………..23 Southeast Park…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..24 The Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park/Third Street Park………….……………………………………..25 Twin Lakes Sports Park……………………………………………………………………………………………….26 Wapehani Mountain Bike Park …………………………………………………………………………………..27 Winslow Sports Complex……………………………………………………………………………………………28 Winslow Woods Park and Willie Streeter Community Gardens….……………………………..29

B‐Line Trail  Phase I (Rogers Street to 2nd

Street) opened June 2009  Phase II from 2nd Street to Grimes

Lane and from Rogers Street to Adams Street to be completed in summer 2011.  Public art includes “Bloomington

Banquet” limestone sculpture on Farmers’ Market Plaza; “Dancing Spirit” sculpture behind City Hall; “Figured Base” limestone sculpture at 6th Street and “Animal Island” also at 6th Street.  WonderLab Plaza at 4th Street and

REALTOR Plaza at 2nd Street.

The B‐Line Trail behind City Hall.

AMENITIES: picnic tables, benches, drinking fountains, public art TRAIL: 3.1 miles, paved PARKING: On‐street parking spaces along the trail.

ACCESSIBILITY: The trail is accessible.

Pedestrian bridge over Grimes Lane on Phase II of the B‐Line.

Bloomington Rail Trail  Trailhead located at West Country Club

Drive between South Rogers Street and South Old SR 37.  The trail connects to the Clear Creek

Trail just north of Church Lane.

PARKING: Available at trailhead at Country Club Drive.

TRAIL: 2.0 miles, gravel ACCESSIBLITY: Inaccessible

Broadview Park

 Located at 704 West Graham Drive.  Parks and Recreation partnered with Monroe County Community School Corporation to develop

a new park and playground at the site of the former Broadview Elementary School in 2007.

AMENITIES: One small, unreservable shelter, youth and tot play equipment, one basketball court, picnic tables, and benches.

PARKING: Available at park.

ACCESSIBILITY: Playground and picnic shelter are accessible. Designated parking space available.

Bryan Park  Bryan park was named for William Lowe

Bryan, president of Indiana University from 1902‐1937.  The park was purchased for $1 in 1951 and

first opened in 1957. The pool opened in 1959.  Located at 1001 S. Henderson Street.

33 acres.  AMENITIES: Three baseball/softball fields

(unlighted), four basketball goals (lighted), three playgrounds, three reservable shel‐ ters, two volleyball courts (grass/sand), five tennis courts, three horseshoe pits, a fit‐ ness area, restrooms, picnic tables, and an outdoor swimming pool/water slides.

Henderson Shelter (above) North Shelter (below)

Henderson Shelter: 25‐30 people, no water, unlighted, no electricity, one grill, close to “tot lot” North Shelter: 25‐30 people, water available, electricity, one grill Woodlawn Shelter: 100‐120 people, water and electricity available, lighted, two grills, close to pool and tennis courts TRAIL: .8 miles (loop), paved PARKING: Available on Woodlawn Avenue, Henderson Street, and Bryan Park Pool lot.

ACCESSIBILITY: Designated parking spaces, restroom, juvenile playground, basketball courts, walking trail, Woodlawn Shelter, and playground are all accessible.

“Tot lot” playground built in 2008.

Building Trades Park  The Board of Park Trustees of Bloomington

purchased the park from the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce on July 7, 1949.  Located on West 2nd Street across from the

Indiana University Health‐Bloomington Hospital.  2 acres

AMENITIES: five basketball goals, two play‐ ground areas on north side of park, reservable shelter, one play field, restrooms located near West Howe Street, picnic table by the parking lot.

Shelter: 25‐30 people, no water or electricity, one grill PARKING: parking lot off W. Howe Street TRAIL: .25 miles, paved ACCESSIBILITY: Designated parking space in West Howe Street lot, shelter and playground are both accessible.

Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park and Community Gardens

 Located at 812 West 9th Street on the corner of 9th and Fairview. Nine acres.  West Ninth Street Park purchased from Illinois Central Railroad in 1974. Re‐named Reverend Ernest

D. Butler Park in June 2005.  Butler Park Community Gardens opened in 2011 and include 45 organic plots.  Artist Mike Burchfield created a mural on the park’s restroom building in May 2011.

AMENITIES: two basketball goals, one ballfield, a drinking fountain and restrooms, two small, unreservable shelters, and a playground with a tot lot PARKING: Two small parking lots, one on Fairview Street next to the playground and one on West Ninth Street near the ballfield and community garden.

TRAIL: .7 miles, paved

Lower Cascades Park  Located at 2851 N. Old State Rd. 37. 82 acres.  Dedicated in August of 1924 as the City of

Bloomington’s very first park.  The city’s largest playground was constructed

in the park in 2006.  “Hidden Jewel” sculpture installed in 2006.

AMENITIES: Two baseball/softball fields, one play‐ ground, two reservable shelters, one sand volley‐ ball court, restrooms and limestone picnic tables.

Sycamore Shelter: 50‐75 people, electricity, 2 grills, restrooms in shelter, fireplace, 8 long metal picnic tables Waterfall Shelter: 50‐75 people, electricity, grill, restrooms near shelter, fireplace PARKING: Available at shelters, ballfields and playground.

ACCESSIBILITY: Playground is accessible.

Sycamore Shelter

Upper Cascades Park and Skate Park  Located at 3550 N. Kinser Pike . Home of

Cascades Golf Course.  The Skate Park is located at 2602 N. Kinser

Pike and features concrete ramps, rails and other terrain for use by skateboarders and inline skaters. The Skate Park was dedicated May 6, 2004.

AMENITIES: Playground near golf course, 27‐ hole golf course, restrooms, Skate Park, benches, one basketball court near Skate Park, one large, reservable shelter (Lions Den).

Lions Den Shelter: 115‐125 people, electricity, lighted, two large grills, near play‐ ground, Port‐a‐Let near shelter and restrooms in golf course clubhouse, paved parking lot, three child‐sized picnic tables.

PARKING: Available at Cascades Clubhouse, shelter, and Skate Park.

ACCESSIBILITY: Designated parking spaces at clubhouse, playground and shelter are accessible.

Clear Creek Trail  Total of 2.4 miles of paved 12’ trail. 20.6 acres.  Trailheads located at Tapp Road, That Road, and Church Lane.  The southernmost part of the trail features the 1887 iron Harris Ford Bridge from Warren County.  Acquired in 1997 by 12 separate purchases.

AMENITIES: Parking and rest areas located at That Road and Church Lane trailheads.

PARKING: Lots located at Church Lane, That Road, and Tapp Road trailheads.

ACCESSBILITY: Trail and parking lots are accessible.

Crestmont Park and Community Gardens  Located at 600 W. 16th Street and Illinois

Street. 14 AMENITIES: Four basketball goals, 18‐hole frisbee golf course, one playground, a drinking fountain, one small, unreservable shelter, and community gardens.

PARKING: Located off of West 16th Street.

ACCESSIBILITY: Parking available, community gardens and playground accessible.

Goat Farm  Located at 2000 E. Winslow Road.

31.5 acres.  Donated by the Sherman Rogers

family in 2007.  The Jackson Creek Trail runs through

the Goat Farm and connects to Sherwood Oaks and Olcott Parks.

AMENITIES: Jackson Creek Trail, benches, drinking fountain at Sherwood Oaks Park

Griffy Lake Nature Preserve  Griffy Lake Nature Preserve was

acquired through 43 different land acquisitions between 1992 and 1997.

1,194 acres.  Griffy Woods Nature Preserve was

acquired in 1991.  Boathouse located at 3300 N. Headley

Road. The dam and unofficial dog park is at North Dunn Street.

AMENITIES: Boat, canoe, and kayak rentals, 109‐acre lake, restrooms and picnic tables next to boathouse.

PARKING: Available by the boathouse, additional spaces available on N. Dunn Street.

TRAILS: 10+ miles total, wood chip and natural, Wetlands Trail .3 miles, Nature Trail .4 miles loop, Griffy Creek Trail 1.5 miles, Hiking Trail 1.6 mile loop, and self‐ guided canoe trail.

ACCESSIBILITY: Inaccessible.

Highland Village Park  Formerly Park Square Park; and was purchased by the city in 1970 for $1. 7 acres.  The park is located in Highland Village at the end of Harvey Drive at 950 S. Harvey Drive.

AMENITIES: Two basketball goals, one play field, a drinking fountain, one small, unreservable shelter, a playground and a .33 mile walking trail.

TRAIL: .33 miles PARKING: 8 parking spaces available ACCESSIBILITY: Playground/swings and trail are accessible.

Jackson Creek Trail

 Phase one of the trail, from

Winslow/High/Rogers Street roundabout south through the Goat Farm, Sherwood Oaks Park and Olcott Park opened in October 2010.

TRAIL: .6 miles, paved ACCESSIBILITY: Trail 12 feet wide, paved. Parking lots at Sherwood Oaks Park and Olcott Park are accessible.

Latimer Woods

 Donated by the Latimer family in 1999 to the Community Foundation of Bloomington. City of

Bloomington Parks and Recreation manages the woods for the foundation.  Located on the east side of Bloomington at 3200 E. Buick Cadillac Blvd.  Interpretive trail describing the area and its history.

TRAIL: .4 mile loop, woodchip PARKING: Southwest corner of the Woods at Latimer apartments.

ACCESIBILITY: Inaccessible.

Leonard Springs Nature Park  The City of Bloomington purchased the property between 1914 and 1917 in order to construct an

impoundment which would store water for municipal use. By 1943, the city was receiving water from other sources so the lake was drained, and the property was not used.  In 1998, Bloomington Parks and Recreation purchased the property and Leonard Springs Nature Park

was dedicated on October 18, 1999.  The property contains Leonard Spring and Shirley Spring, a wetland area in the former lake bed, plus

caves and karst features.  Located on the southwest side of Bloomington, west of State Road 37 at 4685 S. Leonard Springs

Road.  Total Acres: 95.5

AMENITIES: Hiking trails and scheduled cave and nature tours.

PARKING: Limited number of spaces in lot on Leonard Springs Road.

TRAIL: 1 mile, woodchip and natural ACCESSIBILITY: Inaccessible.

Miller‐Showers Park

 Located at 1500 N. College Avenue. 9 acres.  Miller‐Showers Park was purchased by the city in 1929 for $1.  The park includes the “Red, Blond, Black and Olive” limestone

sculpture, “Axis” limestone sculpture, observation pier, bridge, accessible trail, and native landscaping.  Total Acres: 9

AMENITIES: benches, drinking fountain, recycling receptacles TRAIL: .59 mile loop, paved PARKING: Located off W. 17th Street, additional parking available on N. Walnut Street and College Avenue adjacent to the park.

ACCESSIBILITY: Designated parking available in W. 17th Street lot, trail is accessible.

Olcott Park

 Purchased from Southside Landing Company in August 1998. 6.5 acres.  Located north of Jackson Creek Middle School and south of The Stands neighborhood at 2300 E.

Canada Drive.

AMENITIES: Reservable multipurpose playing fields (lighted), one reservable shelter (Young Pavilion) near restrooms and playground, restrooms, and youth and tot playground (installed in 2000).

Howard Young Pavilion: 50‐75 people, covered gazebo, water unavailable, electricity unavailable, one grill, near playground, restrooms, and parking lot PARKING: Large parking lot with 20+ spaces.

TRAIL: .5 mile loop, paved ACCESSIBILITY: Designated parking spaces in lot, playground and shelter are accessible.

Park Ridge East Park  Located at 4221 E. Morningside Drive. 4.5 acres.  Purchased from Bloomington Development Corporation in August 1974.

AMENITIES: One full basketball court (unlighted), one small, unreservable shelter, one grill, two tennis courts, and playground (installed in 2008).

PARKING: None ACCESSIBILITY: Shelter is accessible.

Park Ridge Park  Purchased from Joseph and Daisy Garton in October 1974.  Located at 3421 E. Longview Avenue. .5 acres.

AMENITIES: Two basketball goals, one playground, one small, unreservable shelter, one grill, and a bike path to the bypass nearby PARKING: None ACCESSIBILITY: Playground and shelter are accessible.

Peoples Park

 The city purchased the park for $1 in 1975.  The park was renovated in 2001 with the addition of more seating, new pathways, and

mosaic tiles.  The park displays the limestone sculpture, “Bench in the Shape of Opposing Wings.”  Located near the Indiana University campus at 501 E. Kirkwood Avenue.

AMENITIES: Benches, checker tables, murals, stone sculpture, mosaic tiles, Tuesday lunch concerts at noon May‐September.

PARKING: Available on Kirkwood Avenue and surrounding streets.

ACCESSIBILITY: Accessible.

RCA Community Park  Donated to the Bloomington Community

Park and Recreation Foundation by Thomson Consumer Electronics in October 1991.  Re‐named RCA Community Park in

December 2009.  Located at 1400 W. RCA Park Drive.

AMENITIES: Two full basketball courts (lighted), two baseball/softball fields, rest‐ rooms near playground, four tennis courts, one large play field, one large playground with sand surface, and two reservable shelters

Small Shelter (below)

Small Shelter: 20‐30 people, water unavailable, electricity unavailable, one grill, open shelter.

Group Shelter: 80‐120 people, water unavail‐ able, electricity, lighted, two grills, adult and child size picnic tables PARKING: Approximately 75 spaces available in RCA Park Drive lot TRAILS: .7 miles, paved interpretive trail, .74 miles, wooded trail ACCESSIBILITY: Interpretive walking trail is accessible, designated parking spaces, and shelters are accessible.

Group Shelter (below)

Schmalz Farm Park  The Dr. William J. Schmalz family donated this neighborhood park to the Bloomington Community

Park and Recreation Foundation in 1994.  Located at 3010 E. Daniel Street. 6 acres

AMENITIES: Schmalz barn (built in 1833), one playground, benches, one small unreservable shelter, and picnic tables.

PARKING: Limited space available.

ACCESSIBILITY: Playground and shelter are accessible.

Sherwood Oaks Park  Purchased in December 1986 from

Korn Parchies, Inc.  Located at 1600 E. Elliston Drive. 8.76

acres.

AMENITIES: Two basketball goals, three baseball/softball fields, two tennis courts, a drinking fountain, one small, unreserv‐ able shelter (20‐25 people), one grill, a small, running stream, Jackson Creek Trail leads to Olcott Park, Goat Farm, Childs Ele‐ mentary and Jackson Creek Middle School, and playground (installed in 2009).

PARKING: Parking lot with approximately 12‐15 spaces.

ACCESSIBILITY: Tennis courts are accessible.

Southeast Park  Purchased from the Bloomington

Development Corporation in December 1974.  Located on a cul‐de‐sac in the Sycamore

Knolls neighborhood at 1600 Sycamore Court. 9 acres.

AMENITIES: Four basketball goals, one play‐ ground, one small, unreservable shelter with picnic table and two grills, tennis courts, a drinking fountain, and a gravel walking path in the south end of the park.

Southeast Park Shelter: 25‐30 people, water unavailable (drinking fountain nearby), elec‐ tricity unavailable, restrooms unavailable.

PARKING: Small parking area at the end of the cul‐de‐sac.

ACCESIBILITY: Playground and shelter are accessible.

The Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park Third Street Park

 Most of the land that was to become

The Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park was purchased between 1923 and 1935.  The Waldron‐Hill‐Buskirk estate donated

a major portion of land for the park in 1928.  A bandstand and swimming pool were

built in July of 1928. Both were demolished in 1968.  The historic fountain from Rose Hill

Cemetery and new band shell were installed in 1992.  Indiana University Health, KaBOOM!,

Bloomington Parks and Recreation, and The Project School partnered to build a new playground in 2011.  Located off 3rd Street between South

Washington and South Lincoln Streets at 331 S. Washington Street. 3.5 acres.

AMENITIES: Playground, swings, limestone stage, one open playfield between the band‐ stand and the fountain.

PARKING: Parking available behind the stage, and limited parking available along S. Lincoln Street and S. Washington Street.

ACCESIBILITY: Designated parking space available behind the stage, sidewalk through the park is accessible.

Twin Lakes Sports Park

 Twin Lakes Sports Park was built in 1992; the area was once a lake bed.  Located at 2350 W. Bloomfield Road. 40 acres.

AMENITIES: four softball fields (lighted), playground, picnic tables, concession stand, one reservable, closed shelter (Twin Lakes Lodge), and restrooms.

Twin Lakes Lodge: 75‐80 people, 6 round tables, 7 rectangular tables, 80 chairs, water available, electric‐ ity, restrooms in building, limited parking at the lodge and more parking available in the Twin Lakes Sports Park lot. The lodge is completely enclosed with heating and air conditioning. Other amenities in‐ clude an outside deck, a sink, microwave, coffee pot, refrigerator, TV/cable hookup, sofa, and loveseat.

PARKING: Parking lot holds 305 cars.

TRAILS: .7 miles, wood chip and natural.

ACCESSIBILITY: Playground is accessible, designated parking spaces, ballfields are accessible, Twin Lakes Lodge (except kitchen) is accessible.

Wapehani Mountain Bike Park  The city leased the Weimer Lake ground to

White River Council, Boy Scout Association on August 31, 1954. It was reverted back to the city in July 1980.  The park opened as Wapehani Mountain

Bike Park in 1990. It was the first moun‐ tain bike park to open in the Midwest.  Located at 3401 W. Wapehani Road. 43

acres.

TRAIL: 5.0 miles, dirt PARKING: Gravel lot on Wapehani Road with limited space.

ACCESSIBILITY: Inaccessible.

Winslow Sports Complex

 Winslow Sports Complex was completed in 1979.  Located at 2800 S. Highland Avenue, just south of the YMCA. 40 acres.

AMENITIES: six baseball/softball fields (lighted), six tennis courts, one playground, one play field, concession stand, and restrooms.

PARKING: Lot located off South Highland, additional parking at Winslow Woods Park.

TRAILS: .9 miles, natural ACCESSIBLITY: Playground is accessible and designated parking spaces available.

Winslow Woods Park and Willie Streeter Community Gardens  Land acquired in 1966 from the Winslow

family with additional land acquired in 1974, 1977, and 1979.  Located at 2120 S. Highland Avenue just

north of the Winslow Sports Complex. 40 acres.  The park includes the Willie Streeter

Community Gardens.

AMENITIES: Two basketball goals (unlighted), one playground, one play field, Port‐a‐Let, one reservable shelter, picnic tables, a drinking fountain, and community gardens.

Shelter: Up to 120 people, water and electricity available, 2 grills TRAILS: Nature trails PARKING: Parking available at shelter with 40 spaces.

ACCESSIBILITY: Designated parking spaces, and playground, community gardens, and shelter are accessible.