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Bloomington: Park Board to Review Investment Priorities Plan at Sept. 28 Special Meeting

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Bloomington, Ind. ~ Bloomington, Ind.– The Board of Park Commissioners will be convening for a special meeting on Monday, Sept. 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Switchyard Park Pavilion to discuss a proposed approach to investing in aging parks and recreation facilities and addressing maintenance needs across the system.

The Parks and Recreation Department will be presenting its 2026 Investment Priorities Plan during the meeting. This plan outlines recommended projects for existing facilities, parks, playgrounds, and trails, as well as strategies for funding these needs over the next several years. The plan is the sole item on the agenda for this special meeting and members of the public are encouraged to attend and provide their comments.

This plan serves as a supplement to the recently adopted 2026-2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan and is a crucial step in implementing the goals outlined in that plan. It draws upon facility condition assessments, usage and cost recovery information, community engagement, and other data gathered during the master planning process.

The recommendations in this plan primarily focus on one of the Master Plan's main goals - "Invest in What We Have." This involves balancing the needs of aging facilities with responsibility for parks and infrastructure that have been added to the system in recent years.

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Some of the key recommendations that will be discussed by the Park Board include improvements at Bryan Park Pool, installing turf infields and LED lights at Winslow Sports Park, replacing the playground at Olcott Park, repairing trails, installing a new elevator at Banneker Community Center, adding pickleball courts at RCA Community Park, replacing irrigation at Cascades Golf Course, and exploring long-term options for Frank Southern Ice Arena.

In addition to these projects, there is also a proposal to gradually increase the amount of annual General Fund budget dedicated to capital needs. Currently, only about 2.2% of General Fund expenditures go towards capital expenses. The proposed goal is to increase this to at least 4% in 2028, 5% in 2029, and 6% in 2030.

As part of this plan, the Department is also considering the potential issuance of a $7.3 million general obligation bond in 2027 to fund some of the highest-priority projects. However, a recently announced statewide grant opportunity through the Indiana Community Parks Initiative, with funding from the Lilly Endowment, may also provide a pathway for investment funds.

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The Investment Priorities Plan also includes other recommendations such as evaluating the potential sale of Parks-owned property at 349 S. Walnut St., pursuing partnerships and sponsorships, and utilizing other available revenues to maintain and reinvest in existing assets.

While no final action will be taken on the Investment Priorities Plan during this special meeting, Parks and Recreation will consider feedback and make any necessary refinements before presenting it for potential adoption at a future Park Board meeting.

Members of the community are invited to provide their input during the meeting. For those unable to attend, there will be an opportunity to review the information and submit comments online following the meeting.

The 2026-2030 Bloomington Parks and Recreation Master Plan and its supporting supplements can be found online. Feedback on this plan can also be submitted to Parks and Recreation directly.

This special meeting serves as an important step towards ensuring that Bloomington's parks and recreation facilities are well-maintained and continue to serve the community for years to come. The public's input is crucial in shaping these plans and ensuring that they align with the needs of the community.

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