Planning Your Neighborhood Park

In preparation for removing accumulated sediment from the upper pond at Bryant Park, 901 W. 84th St., our contractor will begin pumping down the water level the week of January 1st. In addition to sediment removal, the work will involve removal of dead trees and installation of additional storm sewer.

The work is expected to take about three weeks. As weather conditions allow, the disturbed areas will be seeded with a cover crop until the park-wide updates begin this spring. For more information on that work, see https://letstalk.bloomingtonmn.gov/bryantpark.

In 2021 the City adopted a new Park System Master Plan which reflects about two years of public input on priorities for Bloomington parks to help us make decisions on future park projects. In August staff consulted residents for input concept 2 plans of nine parks: Brookside, Bryant, Kelly, Poplar Bridge, Running, Smith, Sunrise Southwood and Tretbaugh. Based on the input received, we now have a final draft concept plan for Tretbaugh and Bryant park that we are excited to share with you! These parks are planned for construction in 2024. Concept plans for the remaining seven parks will be out for review later this spring. Click images to enlarge.

Update: Tuesday, October 25, input from review of park concept plans is being compiled and reviewed.

Update: Thursday, September 15, a second round of engagements begins at Bryant Park and tomorrow online here at Let's Talk Bloomington. Review the concept plans and make comments.

Update: On Friday, August 19, City staff from a variety of departments, consultants from Confluence, PARC commissioners and others gathered in the Black Box Theater at Bloomington Civic Plaza for a planning workshop dubbed Park-A-Palooza. Participants spent a full day brainstorming, analyzing, and sketching ideas for reimagining nine parks—Brookside, Bryant, Gene Kelly, Poplar Bridge, Running, Smith, Southwood, Sunrise, Tretbaugh. The work was guided by public input gathered here on Let’s Talk Bloomington(External link) and in-person at the parks during community conversations held in June.

Ultimately, the goal was to develop two comprehensive concept plans for each park. In September, the team will return to the nine parks for follow-up conversations with the community on the two concept plans, providing residents with yet another opportunity to offer input. Those who cannot attend the events in person can continue to weigh in online at Let’s Talk Bloomington. Additional targeted conversations will also be scheduled with individual stakeholder groups. It is anticipated that the final two concept plans will be presented to the City Council in October.