Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners, March 23, 2026

The City of Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners held a meeting on March 23, 2026, which included several procurement and contracting decisions related to parks and recreation. Key procurement actions included approval of a cooperative partnership agreement with Indiana University for the Grand Flume concert series at Switchyard Park, with IU managing event organization and the city managing contracts for infrastructure and services. The board awarded a $637,775 contract to Monroe LLC for construction of the Power Line Trail, funded by the bicentennial bond, and approved a contract with REA for construction inspection services not to exceed $124,950. They also extended a 15-year lease agreement with Verizon Wireless for a cell tower at the operations center, and awarded a $33,025 mowing contract to Green Dragon Inc. for Switchyard Park. Additionally, the board approved a memorandum of understanding with Greystar for off-site tree planting, a partnership with Canopy Bloomington for a youth tree tenders program funded up to $13,000, and a $25,000 grant-funded storm resiliency pruning contract with Bluestone Tree LLC. A new sponsorship agreement template was approved for the Adopt a Roundabout program to support roundabout maintenance through business sponsorships. The board also approved a partnership agreement with the Bloomington Pickleball Club and updated various fee schedules for park facilities and programs. The meeting featured an extensive discussion and public comment session on the Frank Southern Ice Arena, focusing on its aging infrastructure, recent ammonia leak incident, and the need for long-term investment or replacement. The board acknowledged the critical condition of the facility and the high community value placed on it, with plans to form a stakeholder group to explore future options including renovation, system replacement, or new facility construction. No immediate funding decisions were made, but the board emphasized the importance of public engagement and future planning.