Banneker Community Center

A variety of activities take place at the Banneker Community Center. All ages are welcome. Children under age 10 yrs. must be accompanied by a responsible caregiver age 18 yrs. and up.

Welcome to Banneker!

Hours of Operation

• Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Contact

• For information about Banneker Community Center programs, rental space, or amenities, email Banneker ([email protected]) or call 812-349-3735.

Quick Facility Information

• Bloomington Transit: Bus route maps and schedules.
• Accessibility: Designated handicap vehicle parking space on Elm Street on west side of building. Approximately 90’ on concrete sidewalk and ramp to gym entrance off Elm Street on west side of building. Elevator access to all three floors. Push button entry doors.
• Evans-Porter Memorial Library: Offers fiction and nonfiction books for adults, teens, and children. 
• Property rules and hours of operation for Bloomington's city parks

Rental Space at the Banneker Community Center

The variety of spaces in the Banneker Community Center fit the needs of youth, families, and adults! Drop in during our open hours and check out the new twist on our historic building. We are available for public events and private rentals. Send an email to Kevin Terrell or call 812-349-3735 for more information or to make a reservation.

Reserve and rent space at the Banneker Community Center

• Gymnasium - 74' x 59' (10,729 sq. ft.). Rental of the gymnasium can include tables, chairs, and sports equipment.
• Kitchen -  22' x 31' (682 sq. ft.) Includes a full commercial kitchen with large island, television, blackboard, tables, and chairs.
• Family Resource Center - 54' x 36.5' (4,366 sq. ft.) Entire third floor with toys and play equipment for preschool-age children

Benjamin Banneker Urban Farm

The Banneker Community Center began serving as an Indiana Summer Food Service Program site in 2006, when Banneker joined the Monroe County Community School Corporation and Community Kitchen in providing sites where children out of school for the summer could go to get a free, nutritious meal. The Summer Food Service Program at Banneker evolved into a summer day camp that offers nature and education programming, structured games, and activity clubs in addition to healthy meals. 

In 2020, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), in cooperation with the Walmart Foundation, awarded the Banneker Community Center an $80,000 “Parks as Community Nutrition Hubs: Expanding Access to Healthy Food” grant. The nutrition hub project was delayed by COVID-19, and the grant funds were used to develop a community garden in the Banneker backyard as a learning site and source of healthy food for children who attended Banneker Camp. Funds from the grant allowed for staffing, supplies, materials, and labor to develop a raised bed garden program. The backyard garden met the qualification to be called an urban farm and the Board of Park Commissioners at their Jan. 24, 2023 meeting approved the request to name the garden area the Benjamin Banneker Urban Farm.