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Page last updated on August 21, 2024 at 3:06 pm

For more information, please contact

Rebecca Swift, Operations and Development Division Director, Parks and Recreation
rebecca.swift@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3706

Parks & Recreation Hosts Public Meeting on New Powerline Trail Design

Bloomington, Ind.—Parks & Recreation is holding a public meeting Sept. 4 at the Pavilion at Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St. in Bloomington, to share information about the design of a new trail that will begin at Rogers Street across from the Switchyard Park entrance and run .9 miles west beneath the power lines.

The formal presentation begins at 6 p.m. and is followed by an open house-style
Q & A with representatives from AZTEC Engineering Group and Parks & Recreation until 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to drop in any time during the scheduled meeting.

Powerline Trail design rendering, August 2024
Powerline Trail design rendering by AZTEC Engineering, August 2024

 

Parks & Recreation will collect feedback regarding the trail project and design, and suggestions for names for the trail, from Sept. 4—27.  

The new trail, which is currently referred to as the “powerline trail”, was proposed in 2018. The Bloomington Common Council in October 2018 approved the issuance of park district bonds to fund the project, which was paused until Duke Energy completed infrastructure work in the area. Monroe County Board of Commissioners on May 22, 2024 approved the City of Bloomington’s request for an easement to build and operate a trail in the preexisting utility easement on the county’s Thomson Property, allowing Parks & Recreation to proceed with trail design.

The trail will connect the Habitat for Humanity Osage Place neighborhood and RCA Community Park. Future plans call for the trail to connect to and through the Summit District development to the west.

Duke Energy is wrapping up electrical grid improvement work along Rogers Street. Bloomington Parks & Recreation hopes to begin trail construction as early as 2025.

To learn more about the powerline trail design, or submit comments and feedback about the trail:

 

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