Mayor Kerry Thomson

Page last updated on October 28, 2024 at 10:25 am

Bryan Park was purchased in January 1951 for $1. The name "Bryan" refers to William Lowe Bryan, President of Indiana University from 1902-1937. Bryan Park Pool, built in 1959, is open seasonally, Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Parking: One parking lot at Henderson Street and Dixie Street. Second parking lot off Henderson at East Allen Street. Additional parking lots at Bryan Park Pool, and across Woodlawn Avenue from Bryan Park Pool. 

Restrooms: Centrally located near ball diamonds. Restrooms are accessible, and are open seasonally (April through October).

New Playground in Bryan Park Open June 28, 2024

The Board of Park Commissioners at their Dec. 12, 2023 meeting, approved a contract with Snider Recreation, Inc. of North Royalton, Ohio for the purchase and installation of new playground equipment and poured-in-place rubber safety surfacing at the Bryan Park 5- to 12-year-old playground.

Bryan Park Playground ribbon cutting with Mayor Thomson, Deputy Mayor Knapp, and Bloomington-area children cut a green ribbon with giant scissors
Bryan Park Playground ribbon cutting ceremony was held June 28, 2024.

This project replaced the existing 24-year-old playground located just off Henderson Street at the south end of Bryan Park. Parks and Recreation conducted an online public playground survey in February 2023 to learn from community members the types of play equipment desired in the new playground. A total of 402 surveys were received. An in-person and virtual public meeting was held March 2 to receive additional community input and feedback for this project, and share the results of the community survey.

The results of the survey provided staff with a means to prioritize specific playground features to be included in the design. A Request for Proposals was issued and seven companies responded with playground designs. Staff representatives evaluated the submissions and selected the playground from Snider Recreation.

The total amount for this contract is $179,256, which is for the installation of equipment and the materials/installation for the rubberized surfacing. The Department will purchase the play equipment from Snider Recreation separately through a cooperative purchase agreement for a total of $180,514. The entire project will total $359,770.

Mayor Kerry Thomson, Deputy Mayor Gretchen Knapp, and Parks & Recreation staff gathered with Kid City Summer Camp and dozens of playground enthusiasts on June 28, 2024 to cut a ribbon and officially open the new playground.