Park System Master Plan

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The purpose of the Park System Master Plan is to establish a clear, 20-year vision for the Bloomington parks, trails, recreation, and open space systems. There are over 9,000 acres of parkland and open space in Bloomington, of which almost 3,000 acres are City-owned. Nearly 36% of the City’s 38 square miles is parkland or open space. Key areas of focus include (but are not limited to):

  • Evaluate existing Park System features, amenities and services related to comparable communities and accepted national standards to identify where changes are warranted
  • Develop a prioritization strategy to guide decision-making and investments in the Park System
  • Identify and prioritize Park System needs, desires and interests of the community for the next 20 years based on anticipated demographic, economic and social changes and input from a recent Community Needs Assessment
  • Establish a detailed implementation program for achieving the plan vision including the identification of funding opportunities and high-level cost estimates for high-priority actions
  • Identify best practices to ensure the Park System is managed and maintained in a sustainable and equitable manner
  • Involve robust community and stakeholder engagement

The City has been gathering community input about our parks since November 2019 through surveys, community conversations, stakeholder interviews and an online engagement tool, Project Bloom! Other project work includes studies and analysis of demographics and trends in park and recreation, recreation programing assessment, and a level of service analysis.

Based on what we have heard and learned from the community so far, potential new park amenities are shown on a series of seven maps below. The locations are guided by defined “service areas” which mostly align with Council District boundaries, to provide a lens for equitable geographic distribution. Locations are also guided by park suitability.

Please take the seven surveys below to further guide the Park System Master Plan implementation strategies.

Pro Tip: Click on map to enlarge


The purpose of the Park System Master Plan is to establish a clear, 20-year vision for the Bloomington parks, trails, recreation, and open space systems. There are over 9,000 acres of parkland and open space in Bloomington, of which almost 3,000 acres are City-owned. Nearly 36% of the City’s 38 square miles is parkland or open space. Key areas of focus include (but are not limited to):

  • Evaluate existing Park System features, amenities and services related to comparable communities and accepted national standards to identify where changes are warranted
  • Develop a prioritization strategy to guide decision-making and investments in the Park System
  • Identify and prioritize Park System needs, desires and interests of the community for the next 20 years based on anticipated demographic, economic and social changes and input from a recent Community Needs Assessment
  • Establish a detailed implementation program for achieving the plan vision including the identification of funding opportunities and high-level cost estimates for high-priority actions
  • Identify best practices to ensure the Park System is managed and maintained in a sustainable and equitable manner
  • Involve robust community and stakeholder engagement

The City has been gathering community input about our parks since November 2019 through surveys, community conversations, stakeholder interviews and an online engagement tool, Project Bloom! Other project work includes studies and analysis of demographics and trends in park and recreation, recreation programing assessment, and a level of service analysis.

Based on what we have heard and learned from the community so far, potential new park amenities are shown on a series of seven maps below. The locations are guided by defined “service areas” which mostly align with Council District boundaries, to provide a lens for equitable geographic distribution. Locations are also guided by park suitability.

Please take the seven surveys below to further guide the Park System Master Plan implementation strategies.

Pro Tip: Click on map to enlarge


  • Potential Park Buildings and Service Areas

    The identified are proposed locations to receive new or remodeled park buildings that would be open year-round and serve as neighborhood park hubs. Locations were chosen based on geographic distribution, surrounding density, park suitability, and program use. The "service area" model is used as a lens to provide geographic distribution of park amenities across Bloomington.




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  • Inclusive Play Locations

    Inclusive playgrounds are thoughtfully designed to provide a safe place where children of all abilities can play together and are appropriate for children with and without disabilities. A fully inclusive playground takes away barriers to exclusion, both physical and social, providing a "sensory rich" experience for all.

    Identified are proposed locations for fully inclusive playgrounds for people with all abilities in Bloomington.  2-3 locations will be recommended out of the 5 shown.   Locations were chosen based on geographic distribution, transportation access, and park suitability.



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  • Skate Park Locations

    Identified are 5 proposed locations for skate parks in Bloomington.  2-4 locations will be recommended out of the 5 shown. Locations were chosen based on geographic distribution, transportation access, and park suitability.




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  • Splash Pad Locations

    Identified are 3 new proposed locations for splash pads in Bloomington. Locations were chosen based on geographic distribution of aquatics, surrounding density, transportation access, and park suitability.





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  • Dog Park Locations

    Identified are 4 proposed locations for new dog parks in Bloomington.  3 locations will be smaller neighborhood sized facilities, potentially utilizing ice skating rinks, and one larger facility on the east side is proposed. Locations were chosen based on geographic distribution, transportation access, and park suitability.



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  • Bike Skills Area/Pump Track Locations

    Identified are 4 proposed locations for bike skills areas in Bloomington. 3-4 locations will be recommended. Locations were chosen based on geographic distribution, trail access, and park suitability.





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  • New Athletic Facilities Locations

    Identified are 4 proposed locations for new cricket fields and one additional pickleball court complex. Cricket is a game played with a bat and ball on a grass field approximately 137 meters X 60 meters, between two teams of 11 players each. The popularity of Cricket is increasing and it is currently being played informally in Bloomington parks. We hope to provide a better, quality experience.




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