Parks and Recreation Enhances Accessibility with $1 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds

Bloomington, Ind.—Parks and Recreation is in the process of completing nearly $1 million in projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act to improve accessibility across its facilities and programs. These upgrades aim to make parks, transportation, and recreational spaces more inclusive for all community members.

Building Trades Park Accessibility Upgrades

Construction begins in April at Building Trades Park, 619 W. Howe St., marking the first phase of its Master Plan improvements. Upgrades will focus on the north and west sides of the park, including:

• Curb cuts in the parking area for better accessibility.
• Removing the wooden ramp on the east side of the park and installing a new 10' wide, concrete path from Howe Street and the parking lot south to Second Street. The path terminates at the location of a planned future bus stop and mid-block pedestrian crossing to the Hopewell neighborhood.
• Removing the existing picnic shelter on the park’s east side and building a new picnic shelter just south of the parking area along the new accessible path. 

New Wheelchair-Accessible Mini Bus

A new wheelchair-accessible mini bus has been added to the department’s vehicle fleet to serve Kid City Summer Camp and Kid City Break Days participants. This bus accommodates children using wheelchairs and others with and without mobility impairments, allowing campers to travel together on field trips. It will also support other Parks and Recreation programs when accessible transportation is needed.

Push-Button Accessible Doors Installed

To enhance ease of entry, push-button activated doors have been installed at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center, 351 S. Washington St.; the Banneker Community Center, 930 W. 7th St.; and the Frank Southern Ice Arena, 2100 S. Henderson St. These doors improve accessibility for individuals using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids, as well as those who may have difficulty using traditional door handles. Push-button entry doors are planned for installation at the Twin Lakes Recreation Center in 2025.

Bryan Park’s New Inclusive Playground

In June 2024, Bryan Park, 1001 S. Henderson St., completed a new juvenile playground (designed for children ages 5-12) with both accessible and challenging play features, including:

• The first-ever warped wall in a city playground.
• Ground-level sensory elements.
• A rubberized surface for wheelchair accessibility.
• Pass-through platforms on the play structure for wheelchair users.
• An accessible carousel spinner and buddy swings.

Switchyard Park to Feature City's First Tactile Map

This spring, Switchyard Park will install the City’s first tactile map, designed to help individuals with visual impairments navigate the park. The map combines a visual layout with raised lines, textures, and Braille to provide information about park features, including the playground and the Community Foundation Switchyard Plaza Spray Pad.

RCA Community Park Shelter Upgrades

The newly installed picnic shelter at RCA Community Park, 1400 W. RCA Park Dr., now features a concrete ramp linking the parking lot and restroom to the shelter, improving accessibility for all visitors.

Parks and Recreation remains committed to creating spaces that welcome and accommodate everyone in the community. These accessibility enhancements reflect the department’s ongoing efforts to ensure equal access to parks and recreational opportunities.

All-Terrain Wheelchair

A new, all-terrain wheelchair, intended for use at Parks and Recreation's Leonard Springs Nature Days and Griffy Lake Nature Days, will debut this spring. Leonard Springs Nature Days and Griffy Lake Nature Days are experiential, outdoor education programs for every sixth and fourth grade student enrolled in the Monroe County Community School Corporation, respectively. Students spend the day at the designated park, hiking the natural surface trails and learning about wildlife, wetlands, karst features, and forest ecosystems at different locations in the park. The all-terrain wheelchair accommodates children who use wheelchairs so they can travel the trails with their fellow students.

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