Bryant Park Renovation Project

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Background: In 2021 the City adopted a new Park System Master Plan (Plan) which reflects approximately two years of community input to establish priorities for Bloomington Parks and help us make decisions on future park projects. Guiding priorities from the Plan are: natural resources, trails and mobility, new park amenities, and equity.

In summer 2022, staff consulted residents on potential amenities and design ideas for Bryant park and later asked for input on two concept plans for the park. Based on the input

Watch the news feed for the most recent project updates. Click to jump to the news feed.

Background: In 2021 the City adopted a new Park System Master Plan (Plan) which reflects approximately two years of community input to establish priorities for Bloomington Parks and help us make decisions on future park projects. Guiding priorities from the Plan are: natural resources, trails and mobility, new park amenities, and equity.

In summer 2022, staff consulted residents on potential amenities and design ideas for Bryant park and later asked for input on two concept plans for the park. Based on the input received, a draft design was developed and accepted by City Council in June 2023.

The project design is planned to be completed in April 2024 and construction is planned to start in Fall 2024. The design incorporates clean water and natural resources improvements, sustainability, new sidewalk and trails, new park amenities including the City's first fully inclusive playground, skate park, new park shelter building, two new tennis courts, and basketball courts.

picture of bryant park master plan



New Layout: July 2023 staff asked residents for input on the fully inclusive playground design and again reviewed the site layout. Since that time the design team considered the proximity of pickleball to existing homes and based on best practices and experience at other pickleball facilities determined that because of the noise created by pickleball and the proximity of the courts to homes, it would be eliminated from the design. Click the design to enlarge.


Considering resident feedback overall regarding the layout and the elimination of pickleball a new layout has been created. Features include:

  • Accessible playground closer to parking for improved access while being farther removed from water
  • Park shelter building more centrally located with four-sided access and better connectivity to surrounding activities
  • Skate spot moved to former playground location
  • Maintained two tennis courts
  • Parking lot shifted south and improved circulation

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Do you have a clarifying question or comment about the Bryant Park inclusive playground design or park planning process?   If so, submit your question or comment here and staff will get back to you as soon as possible. 

  • Share Looks like there will be quite a bit of fencing enclosing the Bryant Park Playground, what kind of aesthetically pleasing fencing is proposed? Thank-you on Facebook Share Looks like there will be quite a bit of fencing enclosing the Bryant Park Playground, what kind of aesthetically pleasing fencing is proposed? Thank-you on Twitter Share Looks like there will be quite a bit of fencing enclosing the Bryant Park Playground, what kind of aesthetically pleasing fencing is proposed? Thank-you on Linkedin Email Looks like there will be quite a bit of fencing enclosing the Bryant Park Playground, what kind of aesthetically pleasing fencing is proposed? Thank-you link

    Looks like there will be quite a bit of fencing enclosing the Bryant Park Playground, what kind of aesthetically pleasing fencing is proposed? Thank-you

    Lindaq asked 9 months ago

    Thank you for your question.  The fence around the Bryant Park playground will be a 3’ black, rubber-coated chain link. 

  • Share Was a skate park the majority-liked option for Bryant park? Were there no other options that lent themselves 1). to a broader portion of the community and 2). that paired more with the community that will be attracted to Bryant given the Accessibly Playground? Maybe I am ignorant to the number of handicapped individuals that will use the skate park, but it doesn't seem like a natural pairing on first glance. Curious to the decision for the skate park. Thanks! on Facebook Share Was a skate park the majority-liked option for Bryant park? Were there no other options that lent themselves 1). to a broader portion of the community and 2). that paired more with the community that will be attracted to Bryant given the Accessibly Playground? Maybe I am ignorant to the number of handicapped individuals that will use the skate park, but it doesn't seem like a natural pairing on first glance. Curious to the decision for the skate park. Thanks! on Twitter Share Was a skate park the majority-liked option for Bryant park? Were there no other options that lent themselves 1). to a broader portion of the community and 2). that paired more with the community that will be attracted to Bryant given the Accessibly Playground? Maybe I am ignorant to the number of handicapped individuals that will use the skate park, but it doesn't seem like a natural pairing on first glance. Curious to the decision for the skate park. Thanks! on Linkedin Email Was a skate park the majority-liked option for Bryant park? Were there no other options that lent themselves 1). to a broader portion of the community and 2). that paired more with the community that will be attracted to Bryant given the Accessibly Playground? Maybe I am ignorant to the number of handicapped individuals that will use the skate park, but it doesn't seem like a natural pairing on first glance. Curious to the decision for the skate park. Thanks! link

    Was a skate park the majority-liked option for Bryant park? Were there no other options that lent themselves 1). to a broader portion of the community and 2). that paired more with the community that will be attracted to Bryant given the Accessibly Playground? Maybe I am ignorant to the number of handicapped individuals that will use the skate park, but it doesn't seem like a natural pairing on first glance. Curious to the decision for the skate park. Thanks!

    Alex asked about 1 year ago

    Skate parks are an important part of a modern park system. Skateboarding, inline skating, scooter use, and bicycles can use similar facilities for recreational purposes. Bloomington currently has one skatepark at Valley View Park on the City’s east side. Through the community engagement process a need was identified for additional skateparks with a hierarchy of scale. Smaller neighborhood skate areas provide a local place for beginners and smaller kids to learn skating with more manageable features, which are planned for Bryant Park. More information can be found in the Park System Master Plan . 

  • Share What about the west side. Most of our parks play structures have aged like Sunrise, and countryside. What are the timetables for the west Bloomington parks on Facebook Share What about the west side. Most of our parks play structures have aged like Sunrise, and countryside. What are the timetables for the west Bloomington parks on Twitter Share What about the west side. Most of our parks play structures have aged like Sunrise, and countryside. What are the timetables for the west Bloomington parks on Linkedin Email What about the west side. Most of our parks play structures have aged like Sunrise, and countryside. What are the timetables for the west Bloomington parks link

    What about the west side. Most of our parks play structures have aged like Sunrise, and countryside. What are the timetables for the west Bloomington parks

    janding asked 10 months ago

    The City of Bloomington initiated the process of developing a new Park System Master Plan for the entire City in November 2019. With extensive and invaluable assistance from consultants, City staff and most importantly, the community, the plan is now complete. At its August 30, 2021 meeting, the Bloomington City Council formally adopted the Park System Master Plan.

    The process was purposeful and robust, capturing the voices of Bloomington residents while completing several studies to understand how Bloomington can provide new park amenities and experiences. Natural resources, trails, new park amenities and equity are priority themes that will be addressed with the new Plan.

    More information on projects, timelines and park amenities can be found at this link: https://letstalk.bloomingtonmn.gov/parks-master-plan

  • Share What - pickle ball is too noisy? You’ve got to be kidding me? Who came up with that scenario? on Facebook Share What - pickle ball is too noisy? You’ve got to be kidding me? Who came up with that scenario? on Twitter Share What - pickle ball is too noisy? You’ve got to be kidding me? Who came up with that scenario? on Linkedin Email What - pickle ball is too noisy? You’ve got to be kidding me? Who came up with that scenario? link

    What - pickle ball is too noisy? You’ve got to be kidding me? Who came up with that scenario?

    Frenchy@09 asked 10 months ago

    Pickleball is a great sport and activity, it provides healthful active recreation, is great for all ages and offers a chance to recreate in local parks. However, in recent years the incessant “thwack-thwack” noise that can travel improbable distances from pickleball courts warrants further review before being installed in neighborhood parks. The original design for Bryant Park included plans for pickleball courts where the existing tennis courts are located. Through research and community engagement it was decided the City of Bloomington would not install new pickleball courts within 250 feet of homes, with a number of homes within this range near Bryant Park.  

  • Share I understand that a Pickleball court was originally planned but then it was deemed “too noisy”. Is that true? That seems ridiculous; noisier than children playing? The city needs to reconsider this. on Facebook Share I understand that a Pickleball court was originally planned but then it was deemed “too noisy”. Is that true? That seems ridiculous; noisier than children playing? The city needs to reconsider this. on Twitter Share I understand that a Pickleball court was originally planned but then it was deemed “too noisy”. Is that true? That seems ridiculous; noisier than children playing? The city needs to reconsider this. on Linkedin Email I understand that a Pickleball court was originally planned but then it was deemed “too noisy”. Is that true? That seems ridiculous; noisier than children playing? The city needs to reconsider this. link

    I understand that a Pickleball court was originally planned but then it was deemed “too noisy”. Is that true? That seems ridiculous; noisier than children playing? The city needs to reconsider this.

    Frenchy@09 asked 10 months ago

    Pickleball is a great sport and activity, it provides healthful active recreation, is great for all ages and offers a chance to recreate in local parks. However, in recent years the incessant “thwack-thwack” noise that can travel improbable distances from pickleball courts warrants further review before being installed in neighborhood parks. The original design for Bryant Park included plans for pickleball courts where the existing tennis courts are located. Through research and community engagement it was decided the City of Bloomington would not install new pickleball courts within 250 feet of homes, with a number of homes within this range near Bryant Park.    

  • Share What a beautiful park and playground, and it is accessible. Thank you for a beautiful and fun playground in a beautiful park. on Facebook Share What a beautiful park and playground, and it is accessible. Thank you for a beautiful and fun playground in a beautiful park. on Twitter Share What a beautiful park and playground, and it is accessible. Thank you for a beautiful and fun playground in a beautiful park. on Linkedin Email What a beautiful park and playground, and it is accessible. Thank you for a beautiful and fun playground in a beautiful park. link

    What a beautiful park and playground, and it is accessible. Thank you for a beautiful and fun playground in a beautiful park.

    Sue asked 10 months ago

    Thank you for the kind words! It would not have been possible without the support and feedback of residents. 

Page last updated: 13 Nov 2024, 12:23 PM