Page last updated on March 19, 2024 at 10:18 am
Parks and Recreation Department Presentation and Tour of Switchyard Park
Switchyard Park Tour
Tim Street, Operations and Development Division 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 the process of building a park from beginning to end.
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 open daily, 5 a.m.–11 p.m. No trespassing or overnight use.
• Basketball court
• 4 pickleball courts
• 3 bocce ball courts
• Skate Park open daily 5 a.m.–11 p.m.
• Playground
• Picnic Shelter reservable or first-come, first-served
• Dog Park—designated large and small dog areas, with dog bowl drinking fountain.
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