Community Invited to Review Parks and Recreation's Investment Priorities Plan

Bloomington, Ind. – Parks and Recreation, at a special meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners on Sept. 28, formally presented a plan outlining where and how the Department could invest up to $17 million in potential grant and bond funding to address deferred maintenance in city parks, trails, and sports facilities.

Parks and Recreation Director Tim Street presented 15 projects and initiatives aimed at “taking care of what we have,” one of four overarching goals identified in the Department’s recently adopted 2026–2030 Master Plan.

The Investment Priorities Plan calls for significant maintenance and upgrades at Bryan Park Pool and Winslow Sports Park. It also identifies other potential investments across the parks system, including repairs to asphalt parking lots and trails, conversion of tennis courts to pickleball courts, and repairs and upgrades to asphalt parking lots and trails.

Other portions of the plan focus on generating revenue for long-term maintenance needs without relying on grants or bonds. Options include selling the Parks-owned property at 349 S. Walnut St., currently leased by The Project School, or increasing the rent to reflect current market value. The Department is also considering contracting with an outside firm to sell naming rights and sponsorships for sports facilities, with the resulting revenue helping support ongoing facility maintenance.

The Investment Priorities Plan reflects needs identified through facility assessments, the Parks and Recreation Master Plan process, community survey results, stakeholder input, and staff evaluation of existing facilities and infrastructure.

The projects included in the plan represent priorities the Department has identified for investment as funding becomes available. The timing and implementation of individual projects will depend on available funding, project readiness, construction schedules, and other factors.

Community members are invited to review the plan and provide feedback that can help Parks and Recreation as it determines how and when the identified investments move forward.

After reviewing the plan, community members are asked to consider: What specific concerns, questions, or additional information should Parks and Recreation consider as it finalizes the timing and implementation of these investments?

Review the 2026 Investment Priorities Plan and submit comments at bton.in/H3park.

Comments will be accepted through Oct. 18, 2026.

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