City Officially Opens New Playground At Cascades Park

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2006

For more information contact:
Mick Renneisen, Director, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation,349-3711
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569

Bloomington, IN -- Mayor Mark Kruzan announced today that the City of Bloomington will be holding a ceremony on Tuesday, May 16, 2006, to celebrate the grand opening of the City's largest, most accessible playground, located in Cascades Park. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

[image:2158,left]"Cascades Park has been a Bloomington treasure for many decades and it is our hope that the new playground and other new features will restore its energy and spirit," Kruzan said. "From parking to the playground, Cascades is now the City's most accessible park and we take pride in our efforts to create a more enjoyable and livable community."

Cascades Park was dedicated officially as Bloomington's first City park in 1924. The Herald-Telephone in its September 3, 1924, issue reported that, "several hundreds of Bloomington's 15,000 citizens turned out for the event." This May, nearly 82 years after the original dedication, the City of Bloomington invites the community back to Cascades Park to see the renovations that will make the park a destination once again.

The ceremony will feature special guest speakers including Mayor Mark Kruzan and Board of Park Commissioners President Mary Catherine Carmichael. Immediately following the ceremony, live music by the Hoosier Hotcakes, balloon art by Octopus Ink. and children's activities will take place.

The new playground with its colorful slides, rope pyramid and new swings is the centerpiece of the renovation project. Additional changes to the park include pedestrian bridges over Cascades Creek and new and enlarged parking areas surfaced with interlocking, water-permeable bricks. Family-friendly shade structures, benches, tables and a drinking fountain encourage long visits to enjoy the new playground and the surrounding forest, creek and waterfall.

Mick Renneisen, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Director, said, "We know Cascades Park has a significant history for many residents of our community and that the park generates many fond memories. We hope the changes to Cascades Park will entice new generations to visit and create memories of their own."

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