Page last updated on July 16, 2025 at 4:44 pm
HAND's neighborhood support services has a new tool to our community building toolbox - The Front Porch!
What is the Front Porch?
The Front Porch is a cargo trailer filled with equipment, supplies, and games fit for a neighborhood block party or other community gathering. The name evokes a relaxing, welcoming place, where neighbors gather to share the news of the day, a laugh, and a cool drink. A front porch is a place where neighbors become friends.
The City of Bloomington supports neighborhoods in a variety of ways, and The Front Porch is one more resource for facilitating neighborhood community building. The easier it is to gather and connect, the better equipped neighbors are to strengthen their relationships and build their organizational capacity.
What's inside?
View the trailer contents in The Front Porch Inventory.
Who's eligible to use the trailer?
Neighborhood associations, homeowners associations (HOAs), and non-profit community partners who work directly with Bloomington residents may use the trailer for official group events at no cost. Organizations must be located within the Bloomington city limits. In order to be eligible to reserve the trailer, organizations must pre-register with HAND by completing this simple form.
Reservations opening soon!
FAQs
| Where can I find the rules and regulations governing use of the trailer? | Please read The Front Porch Trailer Rules & Regulations And Trailer Agreement carefully. The organization's designated event host must agree to the terms and sign the Trailer Agreement. |
Who is eligible to borrow The Front Porch trailer?
| The following groups that are located within the Bloomington, Indiana city limits, and who have pre-registered with HAND are eligible to borrow The Front Porch. Pre-register to reserve the trailer here. Each group must designate an event host, who will be the single point of contact with the City for purposes of borrowing The Front Porch.
|
Where can the trailer be used? | The Front Porch may only be used within the Bloomington City limits in an outdoor setting, such as on private property, in a City park, or on a City street.
We encourage the use of private property, where possible. If you choose to hold your event in a City Park, please consult the 2025 Special Use Permit Guide to determine whether you will need to secure a Park Special Use Permit. If you choose to hold your event on a closed City street, you must secure a Right of Way Special Event Permit from the Board of Public Works. See the Right of Way Special Event Permit Guidelines. |
How far in advance can The Front Porch trailer be reserved? | The Front Porch trailer must be reserved a minimum of thirty (30) days and a maximum of six (6) months in advance of the event for which the trailer will be utilized.
If a Park Special Use Permit is needed, a separate application must be submitted to the Parks & Recreation department no less than forty-five (45) days prior to the event.
If you would like to close a City street, a separate application for a Right of Way Special Event Permit must be submitted to the Public Works department no less than ninety (90) days prior to the event. |
How many times per year can a group reserve The Front Porch trailer? | Registered groups are limited to two (2) reservations per calendar year. If you choose to reserve the trailer for a rain date, in addition to the primary date of your event, the rain date will count as your second annual reservation. |
How much does it cost to borrow The Front Porch trailer? | There is no cost to borrow the Trailer. Registered neighborhood associations (NAs), homeowners associations (HOAs), and non-profit community partners may borrow the Trailer for free. |
Can the Trailer be used for private events?
| No. Events for which the Trailer is reserved, must be official organization-sponsored events that are open to all neighborhood residents, in the case of NAs or HOAs, and all community members in the case of non-profit partners. |
What’s in the trailer? | The Front Porch is filled with what you need to throw a block party or other outdoor event, including tables, chairs, coolers, a sound system, games, and more! View the trailer contents in The Front Porch Inventory. |
My organization has submitted a reservation request. What happens now? | HAND staff will review the reservation request and follow up with the applicant to confirm the reservation approval. |
How can my organization cancel a reservation? | Cancellations must be made by 8am the day prior to your scheduled event or by Friday at 8am if the event occurs over a weekend. To cancel a reservation, please send an email, including your organization’s name and reservation details to angela.vanrooy@bloomington.in.gov. |