Engagement Summary

An inclusive playground will be added as part of the Bryant Park renovation project. The final playground design will be presented to the City Council In April, 2024 (moved from February). Community can see the design and provide comments or seek clarification on the design and elements.

Background: The Parks Master Plan, approved August 2020, identified the need for an inclusive playground in Bloomington. Bryant Park was identified as the location for this new playground. Engagement on Bryant Park began in 2022 and continues. Engagement specifically on the inclusive playground elements began in 2023.

Initial engagement sought to understand how community utilized the park and what general elements were of interest. In the fall of 2023, the team shared with community 2 potential inclusive playground designs. The community was asked to review both designs and provide input to allow the design team to come up with one final design.

April 2024 (moved from February), a single, final design will be presented to Council following a third opportunity for the community to ask clarifying questions about the design. This design is reflective of significant community input to date. Limited modifications can be made at this stage of design.

View Designs

• Playground site overview
• View 1
• View 2
• View 3
• View 4
• Site Plan (Red highlight indicates fenced area around playground with two entrances)
• Bryant Park Plan

Key Considerations from What we Heard:

• From the Community
  • Ensure playground elements meet the needs of people with various types of disabilities and needs including:
    • People with cognitive and physical disabilities
    • Upper and lower body strength activities
    • Verbal and non-verbal interaction activities
    • Places for louder plan and quieter play
  • Ensure elements for all ages
    • Toddlers
    • Older children
  • Consider the site line aesthetic from neighboring homes
    • Height of elements
    • Calming color scheme
  • Safety and Access
    • Fenced in playground area to protect children from the nearby pond
    • Located further from the pond for additional safety
    • Better access to the playground from the parking lot
• Professional considerations
  1. Incorporation of existing landscape and hill and provision of and incorporated accessible path
  2. Philosophy of inclusive play (see Flagships brochures in the Important Links folder)
  3. Review from professional in the field with disabilities
  4. Budget

Next Steps

• The final playground design is available on Let’s Talk Bloomington as of February 9, 2024.
• Clarifying questions or comments on the final design will be taken until February 22.
• Reflection on public questions/clarifications will be provided at an April City Council meeting.
• The estimated build start is Fall 2024.