Mayor Kerry Thomson

Page last updated on May 15, 2025 at 10:26 am

City parks are open daily from 5 a.m. through 11 p.m.

 

 

City Park Property Rules and Hours of Operation, and Removal or Suspension from Bloomington Parks and Recreation Properties

 

Adopt-a Programs

For more information about the Adopt-a programs for trails and streams on public land, or about helping remove invasive plants from city park properties, contact Emily Buuck, Community Relations Coordinator, at 812-349-3739 or emily.buuck@bloomington.in.gov.

 

Research and Collecting Policy for City Parks

A Scientific Study and Research Permit is required for research and/or collection activities on Bloomington Parks and Recreation (BPRD) properties. By requiring permits, Parks and Recreation can:

  1. monitor research being conducted on BPRD property
  2. prevent duplication of research
  3. meet the management requirements of the state dedicated nature preserves on BPRD property
  4. further expand our scientific knowledge by requiring copies of the research results, and
  5. protect park sites

Requests to conduct research and/or collecting on BPR property must be submitted to: Bloomington Parks and Recreation, Natural Resources Program, P. O. Box 848, Bloomington, IN 47402 or sent via email.

Enabling Statutes

Permit Requirements

  • Bloomington Parks and Recreation Scientific Study and Research Permit
    A research permit signed by BPRD is required of anyone who wishes to collect scientific data, flora, fauna, or geological specimens on lands owned or managed by BPRD. All research requests require this permit. Scientific study and research period is not to exceed one year. Contact Bloomington Parks and Recreation to discuss long-term research projects.
  • Indiana DNR Division of Nature Preserves signature
    Research on state dedicated Griffy Woods Nature Preserve requires permission from the Indiana DNR Division of Nature Preserves. Research and Collecting Permits for State Dedicated Nature Preserves
  • Indiana Scientific Collector's License
    Any request involving the taking or harassment of vertebrate animals as well as crustaceans and mollusks on BPRD property also requires a separate Scientific Collectors/Purposes License from the Indiana DNR Dvision of Fish and Wildlife. If collecting vertebrate animals, a signed copy of your Indiana Scientific Collectors/Purposes License must be included with your Scientific Study and Research Permit application. Scientific Collectors/Purposes License

How to apply for a BPRD Scientific Study and Research Permit

A detailed explanation of the proposed research must include:

  • Submit to BPR a 7.5 USGS Quadrangle showing the locations of any installed equipment following their placement.
  • description of activities
  • project objectives
  • methods and procedures to be followed
  • duration of the project
  • areas to be visited (include a map)
  • anticipated disturbances to the site
  • species or objects to be collected
  • number of specimens taken
  • method of taking
  • disposition of specimens

Once the permit application is reviewed and approved by BPRD staff, the applicant will receive a signed copy of the permit.

Follow Up

A written report is required following the research and should be submitted to BPRD within one year after the permit expires. To minimize possible negative impacts, publication resulting from a research study must not reveal information about rare species and their locations without permission from BPRD.

BPRD considers each application based on previous and current work on the site, to avoid duplication of effort and cumulative impacts. Applications are considered based on the prospective gain in terms of scientific value, and benefits to the site. If the applicant has a history of approved permits, but has not submitted the required study results or has been negligent in conducting the research, no additional permits will be issued to that applicant.

Collection of species already documents on the site is no permitted unless specifically required by the research. If collecting a previously document species, or species listed as endangered, threatened, or rare is permitted, BPRD reserves the right to place restrictions on collections.

Collecting unique or uncommon geological specimens is not permitted.

Attachments