Using Parks and Open Space While Maintaining Physical Distance

Safe use of parks and open spaces during the COVID-19 outbreak - See the CDC guidelines for visiting parks and recreation facilities.

Bloomington Parks and Recreation believes that city parks, trails, courts, picnic shelters, and community gardens can continue to be used in a safe manner that allows people to enjoy the mental and physical health benefits these spaces provide. We request that our visitors follow local, state and national ordinances and guidelines regarding the use of all City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department parks, trails and facilities: 

1. Observe CDC’s minimum recommended physical distancing of 6 feet from other individuals at all times. If this is not possible, users should find an alternate location or depart that space.
2. Refrain from using parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms.
3. Follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to and during use of parks or trails.
4. Prepare for limited access to public restrooms or water fountains. 
5. While on trails, warn other users of your presence and as you pass, and step aside to let others pass.
6. Follow CDC guidance on the recommended size of social gatherings including outdoor picnicking, pick-up sports and other group hangouts, and maintain proper physical distance at all times.

Parks and Recreation Program and Event Cancellations

updated Wednesday, June 24 at 5:30 p.m.

Please continue to check back for an updated list of event and program cancellations.

Bryan Park Pool and Mills Pool will not open in 2020.

Playgrounds in City parks are now open.

Public restrooms at the Sycamore Shelter in Lower Cascades Park, RCA Community Park, Bryan Park, Olcott Park, Bloomington Police Department Substation at Grimes Lane on the north end of Switchyard Park, and Winslow Sports Park are open.

The Bloomington Community Farmers' Market is open for a combination of online and in-person shopping. The online store opens for orders at 6 a.m. Tuesday, and shoppers may pick up their orders on Saturday at a no-contact, walk-through Market at 401 N. Morton St. in Bloomington. Walk-up shoppers will be also be permitted to shop from Market vendors and buy products on site on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. All Market vendors will continue to wear masks and gloves, will remain physically distant from customers, and must keep items for sale out of reach of customers. Visit the Farmers' Market online store to place an order in advance.

Cascades Golf Course is open, with precautions in place.Tee times must be reserved in advance; to reserve a tee time, call (812) 349-3764 or reserve a tee time online.

June Cancellations

• Strawberry Shortcake Festival Concert featuring the O2R Blues Band, scheduled for Thursday, June 11 at the Monroe County Courthouse Lawn, has been cancelled. The Strawberry Shortcake Festival has bee rescheduled to take place as a drive-through event on Thursday, July 23 at Switchyard Park. Since it is a drive through, there won't be a concert but everyone can enjoy shortcake!

July Cancellations

• B-Town BOOM Fireworks, scheduled for Thursday, July 2, is CANCELLED
• Fourth of July Parade, scheduled for Saturday, July 4, is CANCELLED
• Summer Basketball Camp, scheduled to begin July 7 at the Twin Lakes Recreation Center, is CANCELLED
• Messy Mania, scheduled for Wednesday, July 8 at Bryan Park, is CANCELLED.
• Backyard Beach Party scheduled for Friday, July 10 at the Banneker Community Center, is CANCELLED
• Opening Act Grace Minnick concert Friday, July 10 in Switchyard Park is CANCELLED; main act 800 lb. Gorilla will play as scheduled.
• A Fair of the Arts, scheduled for Saturday, July 11 at Showers Common, is CANCELLED.
• The Mark Robinson Band will play Sunday, July 12 in Bryan Park as scheduled. The Dynamics have been replaced by the O2R Blues Band to play the back-to-back show.
• Float-in Movie "Toy Story 4", scheduled for July 17 at Bryan Park Pool, has been moved from Bryan Park Pool to the north side of Bryan Park. Admission is free. 
• Bryan Park Kids Triathlon, scheduled for Saturday, July 18 at Bryan Park, is CANCELLED.
• Concert: Hoosier Caravan with Tom Roznowski (act 2 of 2 back-to-back shows) Sunday, July 19 in Bryan Park, is CANCELLED. act 1 The Hammer and the Hatchet (acoustic bluegrass, folk) will perform as scheduled.

August Cancellations

• Salsa Contest, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 1 at the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market, is CANCELLED.
• Drool in the Pool, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday Aug. 5 and 6, is CANCELLED.
• Boogie in the Park, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 7 at Switchyard Park, is CANCELLED.
• Concert: Ben & Winnie (act 1 of 2 back-to-back shows) Sunday, Aug. 9 in Bryan Park is CANCELLED; act 2 The Janiece Jaffe Trio will perform as scheduled.
• Tomato Tasting, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15 at the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market, is CANCELLED.
• 16MM Festival, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27 at Bryan Park, is CANCELLED.
• Concert: Opening act Heritage Hall Ramblers and main act Polka Boy scheduled for Friday, Aug. 28 at Switchyard Park is CANCELLED.

Parks and Recreation Facility Closures

Endwright East Community Center in College Mall is CLOSED. Endwright East is scheduling and conducting programming via Zoom for members, including offering free balance class videos through their website at http://area10agency.org/endwright/.
Twin Lakes Recreation Center is open as of Monday, June 1.
Allison-Jukebox Community Center is open only for Kid City Summer Camp.
Banneker Community Center is CLOSED.
Bryan Park Pool is CLOSED.
Mills Pool is CLOSED.
Rose Hill Cemetery office is CLOSED.

Find more information about the Lower Cascades Park Road Conversion project, beginning Friday, March 13.

The Parks and Recreation Department provides essential services, facilities and programs necessary for the positive development and well-being of the community through the provision of parks, greenways, trails and recreational facilities while working in cooperation with other service providers in the community in order to maximize all available resources.

Bloomington Parks and Recreation is proud to be a CAPRA Accredited agency.