Page last updated on September 9, 2024 at 2:14 pm
Parks and Recreation Department
The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for more than $52 million in City assets. Our Department manages 2,342 acres of property including 34 parks, 27 playgrounds, a golf course, ice arena, two outdoor pools, three community centers, three natural resource properties, 13 ballfields, 22 tennis courts, 19 basketball courts and more than 30 miles of trails.
The Department is organized and managed in four program divisions including Administration, Recreation Services, Sports, and Operations and Development. These divisions are staffed by 53 full-time staff members and more than 450 seasonal staff.
The Parks & Recreation Department is overseen by the Board of Park Commissioners.
Switchyard Park Tour
Tim Street, Director (tim.street@bloomington.in.gov), and Hsiung Marler, Switchyard Park General Manager (marlerh@bloomington.in.gov), will be our tour guides for the evening. You'll learn about why its called Switchyard Park, the process and challenges developing the park, and the amenities available to the community.
A Brief History of Switchyard Park
The 57.2-acre Switchyard Park, formerly known as the McDoel Switchyard, served as a hub for railroad operations for a series of companies including the New Albany and Salem Railroad, the Monon Railroad, and eventually CSX Railroad. CSX Railroad made the decision to phase out its services in 2000, and the last train left McDoel Switchyard in 2004.
Construction of the new Switchyard Park began in 2017, with a year-long project to install critical infrastructure: a 40" sanitary sewer line. Weddle Brothers Building Group LLC was awarded a construction contract for Switchyard Park in April 2018, for a total cost of $25,857,200.
Members of the public gathered with elected officials on May 11, 2018 for a ceremonial groundbreaking at Switchyard Park, near Grimes Lane. The Switchyard was officially revealed to the public in November 2019.
Switchyard Park Facilities
Facilities are open daily, 5 a.m.–11 p.m. No trespassing or overnight use.
- Basketball court
- 4 pickleball courts
- 3 bocce ball courts
- Skate Park
- Spray pad
- Playground
- Picnic Shelter reservable or first-come, first-served
- Dog Park—designated large and small dog areas, with dog bowl drinking fountain.
- Pavilion
- Stage
Links:
Switchyard Park Field Guide to Native Plants
Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan, 2016-2020
Parks and Recreation New 5-Year Master Planning Process