Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners, September 28, 2026

The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners held a special meeting on September 28, 2026, to discuss a draft report on future parks facilities and investments. Parks Director Tim Street presented 15 priorities for 2026–2030, including increasing annual capital investment to 6% by 2030; renovating Bryan Park Pool; upgrades at Winslow Sports Park; playground, trail, and facility repairs; and decisions about the Frank Southern Ice Arena. The draft also identifies possible investments in Building Trades Park courts, the Buskirk-Chumley Theater marquee, Griffy Lake trails, and golf-course irrigation. Staff had prepared the plan around a potential $7 million parks general-obligation bond, but a newly announced Indiana Community Parks Initiative creates an additional opportunity: a $200,000 planning grant application due by the end of October, with potential eligibility for a $10 million implementation grant. These are prospective funding sources, not approved awards or spending commitments.

No motion or vote to adopt the plan or authorize a contract was reported. Staff said they would refine priorities, assess which projects fit the grant, and update the board at its October 15 meeting; the board was not asked to adopt the draft at this meeting. The presentation also proposed pursuing an outside expert or firm to evaluate sponsorship and naming-rights opportunities, with possible contract options to come before the board, and said a contract for a structural inspection of the theater marquee would be brought forward. Public commenters chiefly urged investment in Winslow baseball fields and pickleball courts and long-term attention to the ice arena; staff noted that a decision on the arena’s future is needed by 2028 and that a new facility could cost $15 million or more.»,