Page last updated on March 9, 2026 at 6:58 pm
RCA Community Park began as Thomson Community Park with the donation of 48.6 undeveloped acres on the city's southwest side by Thomson Consumer Electronics in October 1991. The company made the donation in recognition of the partnership forged between the residents of the community and this major industry.
Quick Park Information
- Features: Six Pickleball courts, two tennis courts, and two basketball courts, playground, open play field, asphalt-surface and natural-surface trails, Story Walk, shade sails, picnic tables, interpretive signs
- Restroom: restroom west of the playground, open seasonally; portable restroom at the Pickleball courts during the winter months.
- Property rules and hours of operation for Bloomington's city parks
Picnic Shelters
- Reserve a picnic shelter
- Group Shelter—Shelter north of the parking lot, with concrete walkway to shelter approximately 230' from the nearest designated handicap parking spot. Shelter includes 10 picnic tables and a crock pot station. Maximum 72 people.
- Small Shelter—Located on the west end of the park, south of the parking lot. Concrete walkway to shelter approximately 130' from the nearest designated handicap parking spot. Shelter includes a grill. Maximum 30 people.
- Shelters are available for rent April 1 through October 31. Rental times are 6 a.m. until 11 p.m.
- List of all reservable picnic shelters in city parks.
Land and Water Conservation Fund
Three phases of development of RCA Community Park, formerly known as Thomson Community Park, in 1991, 1993, and 1995 were partially funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund through the U.S. Department of Interior and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
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History of RCA Community Park
In 1992, a $75,000 Land and Water Conservation fund grant was awarded to the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department for partial development of the park.
The first phase of development, including tennis and basketball courts, paved interpretive trail, and playground, was completed in 1995. In December 2009, Bloomington resident Gib Apple approached the Board of Park Commissioners about changing the name of the park from Thomson Community Park to RCA Community Park (the local RCA manufacturing facility in Bloomington closed in 1998). Thomson Consumer Electronics released the specifications in the deed that required the park to be named Thomson, and the name of the park was changed to RCA Community Park in December 2009.
A new playground was installed in November 2012 with a $205,600 Community Development Block Grant.