city of bloomington, indiana parks and recreation department 2015 annual report

City of Bloomington Parks and reCreation dePartment

2015 Annual Report

Olcott Park, August 2015

MissionBloomington Parks and Recreation Department will provide essential services, facilities and programs necessary for the positive development and well-being of he community through the provision of parks, greenways, trails and recreational facilities while working in cooperation with other service providers in the community in order to maximize all available resources.

Vision

Values

Goat Farm, 2015. Photo by Kriste Lindberg.

We strive to provide the highest quality parks, recreation services and greenspace to enhance the quality of life for our community.

diversity l service l respect l stewardshipquality l accountability l progressive l responsive

2015 Annual Report 1

Message from the Administrator

Parks and Recreation Department Administrator Mick Renneisen at the Park Ridge playground grand

opening July 24, 2015.

The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for more than $50 million in City assets. Our department manages 2,342 acres of property including 40 park sites, a golf course, ice arena, two pools, three community centers, three natural resource properties, 13 ballfields, 22 tennis courts, 19 basketball courts and approximately 30 miles of trails. The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is proud to be an accredited (2001, 2006, 2011), Gold Medal-winning (2007) agency that proudly and professionally serves our community’s parks and recreation needs.

Master PlanThe Parks and Recreation Department spent a great deal of time in 2015 collecting user data and public input to draft a new Master Plan that will guide our Department’s efforts from 2016 through 2020. The Department contracted with Indiana University’s Eppley Institute for Parksand Public Lands to complete the Master Plan. The Eppley Institute, which has extensive experience guiding master planning projects for parks and recreation departments across the nation, also brought resources from Indiana University’s School of Public Health and Division of Recreation, Parks and Tourism Studies to the planning process. Staff from the Eppley Institute, Bloomington Parks and Recreation, and several other city departments, as well as public and private stakeholders, served on the master plan’s technical review and steering committees.

Through interviews with partners and stakeholders, the Department identified key themes to address through the Master Plan. In addition, a randomly selected sample of Bloomington residents completed online surveys about Bloomington parks and programs. The Eppley Institute completed the Master Plan, and it was adopted by the Board of Park Commissioners, in November 2015.

Switchyard ParkPlanning for the future was another key theme during 2015, as the department contracted with Rundell Ernstberger Associates to put pen to paper to capture design elements for the Switchyard Park. The combination of several different TIF (tax increment finance) districts within the city into one resulted in the beginning of a budget that will eventually help support the construction of this new destination attraction. The Parks and Recreation Department is continuing to revise structure and facility designs as dynamic plans for the Switchyard Park develop.

PlayabilityBloomington was named a Playful City USA by the nonprofit KaBOOM! for the eighth consecutive year, an honor that recognizes Bloomington’s commitment to play and to providing safe, accessible play spaces for children. The Parks and Recreation Department celebrated with a Play Day in August, and with a grand opening ceremony for a new playground at Park Ridge Park in July.

Economic ImpactThe Department partnered once again with Visit Bloomington to host two national softball tournaments in 2015. The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Girls Class B 16-Under Fastpitch Northern National tournament was played in July, and the ASA Mens’ Slow Pitch Class D Northern Territory Championships in September. These two tournaments alone had an economic impact of nearly $1 million to the Bloomington economy. We continue to host national softball tournaments at Twin Lakes Sports Park, and other local, regional, and national sporting events at facilities like the Winslow Sports Complex and the Twin Lakes Recreation Center, that bring tourism dollars to the community.

The Mayor, Board of Park Commissioners and our staff greatly appreciate our citizen’s continued interest and support of parks and recreation activities. We look forward to another outstanding year of offering services that positively impact your quality of life.

Mick RenneisenAdministrator

2 2015 Annual Report

Program Participation

City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation

Community Events .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..280,877Aquatics .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .85,238Frank Southern Ice Arena.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .47,956Twin Lakes Recreation Center .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .40,903Youth Sports . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .40,816Adult Sports.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .35,034Banneker Community Center .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .28,746Golf Services .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .27,767Natural Resources . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .23,633

Participation is defined as the number of people times the number of visits/activity to a specific program or service.The numbers below do not include any estimate of the number of visits to City parks or trails.

Health & Wellness .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,035Youth Programs . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,649Adult Programs . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,156Operations.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 632Inclusive Recreation .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 414

2015 Total Participations 615,839

Community Events 28%

Frank Southern Ice Arena 8%

Twin Lakes Recreation Center 7%

Adult Sports 6%

Banneker Community Center 5%

Golf Services 5%

Natural Resources 4%

The remainder of programs account for less than 2% each of total program participation.

0 10 20 30 40 50

Community Events 46%

Aquatics 14%

Youth Sports 7%

Program Participation Percentage by Program Area


Tax Proceeds & Miscellaneous $5,679,136

Subtotal—Tax & Miscellaneous Revenue $5,679,136

Administration $72,508 $710,470Adult Sports $289,850 $463,915Aquatics—Bryan Park Pool $241,559 $259,738Aquatics—Mills Pool $27,335 $106,102Aquatics—Health and Safety $5,310 $4,293Banneker Community Center $61,012 $272,696Community Events $102,280 $380,374Community Events–Farmers’ Market $113,564 $113,985Community Relations $2,300 $341,329Frank Southern Ice Arena $343,708 $468,681Golf Services $709,315 $1,008,220Health & Wellness $2,682 $83,081Inclusive Recreation $0 $86,426Landscaping/Cemeteries/Urban Forestry $42,769 $642,125Natural Resources $67,061 $303,772Operations $114,965 $1,327,876Project School Lease/349 S. Walnut Building $88,125 $0Rhino’s Youth Center $0 $22,102Twin Lakes Recreation Center $681,081 $1,281,148Youth Programs $191,500 $192,301Youth Sports $60,483 $256,752TOTAL Program Revenue/Expenses $3,217,415 $8,325,395

Grant Revenue $80,951Capital Related/Capital Expenditures $14,640TOTAL Revenue/Expenses $8,896,552 $8,325,395

2015 Revenue

2015 Expenditures

*unaudited financial data

Condensed Financial Summary

City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation

for the year ended December 31, 2015


Operations & DevelopmentThe Operations Division is responsible for maintenance, security, sanitation, capital improvements, planning, construction, and development of all City parks and natural areas, facilities, trails, and greenways. It is also responsible for beautification

of parks and public areas, including landscaping, the administration and maintenance of Rose Hill and White Oak Cemeteries, and urban forestry. This Division is responsible for the establishment, management, and enhancement of City–owned

natural resources properties including Griffy Lake Nature Preserve, Wapehani Mountain Bike Park and LeonardSprings Nature Park. Natural resources staff offer outdoor recreational, educational, and volunteer opportunities.

RCA Park Time Capsule Ceremony 250Park Ridge Playground Opening 65

Shelter RentalsBryan Park–Henderson 79Bryan Park–North 71Bryan Park–Woodlawn 75Building Trades 28Sycamore–Lower Cascades 72Waterfall–Lower Cascades 66Young Pavilion–Olcott 40Lions Den–Upper Cascades 59RCA Community Park -Small Shelter 16RCA Community Park - Group Shelter 31Winslow Woods 33Total 2015 Rentals 570

Program RevenueGeneral Fund $0Non-Reverting $114,965Total 2015 Revenue $114,965

Program ExpensesGeneral Fund $1,308,501Non-Reverting $19,374Total 2015 Expenses $1,327,876

Operations 2015 Program Activity(includes Landscaping, Cemeteries,

& Urban Forestry)

• Drainage improvement project behind picnic shelter at Sherwood Oaks Park

• Ferguson Dog Park: Installed wooden guardrail around parking lot, installed new dog waste station, created dog play structures with logs from urban forestry wood waste, drainage improvements in parking lot

• Removed old seating from Peoples Park and installed new bench sections• Issued total of 24 Special Use Permits: eight for the B-Line Trail, five

for the Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park, five for Bryan Park, three for the Jackson Creek Trail, one for Lower Cascades Park, one for Peoples Park and one for the Clear Creek Trail

• Completed playground and shelter replacement and basketball court rehab project at Park Ridge Park. Hosted ribbon cutting ceremony at Park Ridge playground on July 24.

• Installed two swales to improve drainage at Southeast Park• Replaced engineered wood fiber (EWF) surfacing at Schmalz Farm Park

playground; also repaired fencing and installed drainage improvements, replaced shingles on playhouse roof

• Replenished wood fibar surfacing at Upper Cascades, Lower Cascades, Crestmont, and Highland Village playgrounds

• Hosted IU Health Day of Service volunteer project at Crestmont Park September 18. Planted trees, installed play equipment and EWF in playground, improved access path with stone, removed invasive plants

• Poured new spillway wall at Miller-Showers Park• Received grant from Indiana Office of Energy Development to replace 15

metal halide pole lights at Miller-Showers Park with LED lamps• Cleared understory brush from south side of RCA Community Park• Hosted RCA Park Time Capsule Ceremony October 20 to open time

capsule originally buried on the Thomson Consumer Electronics property in 1990

Operations crew members spread engineered wood fiber playground safety surfacing at Schmalz Farm Park.


• Planted 593 trees in public areas (85 in city parks and 508 along city streets)• Removed 476 hazardous trees from city parks and streets• Urban Forester Lee Huss and Urban Forestry Specialist Kevin Prince attended Indiana Urban Forest Council summer

meeting• Urban Forester Lee Huss attended the International Society of Arboriculture annual meeting• Urban Forestry Specialist Haskell Smith attended Urban Tree Felling workshop and Certified Arborist Training

workshop• Staffed an urban forestry program booth at the Monroe County Master Gardeners Show and distributed 130 five-

gallon tree watering pails• Conducted an Arbor Day program at the Monroe County History Center• Bloomington was named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the 31st consecutive year• Collaborated with the Bloomington Tree Commission to print third edition of the Bloomington Tree Care Manual• Partnered with Purdue University to conduct a study of emerald ash borer control methods in 100 ash trees along city

streets• Planted four trees through the Memorial/Honorary Tree Program• Closed out $12,500 grant awarded in 2013 by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry to

replace 110 ash trees removed from city streets due to emerald ash borer damage

Urban Forestry

Landscaping• City Landscaper position became vacant in March and was filled in September• Completed landscape inventories and site surveys• Formed city-wide pesticide use policy working group, with the City Landscaper a key member• Initiated ongoing project to remove invasive plants from city landscape areas• City Landscaper attended Native Plant and Wildflower Society Conference and Midwest Invasive Plant Network

Symposium• Renovated landscaped islands at Twin Lakes Sports Park: Removed daylilies, added compost, weed barriers and river

rock

Cemeteries• Improved drainage by south wall of maintenance shop at Rose Hill Cemetery• Resealed, straightened, and re-set 20 headstones• Hosted Monroe County History Center workshops: “Locating African American Gravesites in Monroe County” and

“Limestone Heroes-A Tour of Rose Hill Cemetery”• Removed all vegetation from rose garden in preparation for 2016 renovation

Program RevenueGeneral Fund $33,850Non-Reverting $8,919Total 2015 Revenue $42,769

Program ExpensesGeneral Fund $636,833Non-Reverting $5,292Total 2015 Expenses $642,125

Urban Forestry/Landscaping/Cemeteries 2015 Program Activity

Rose Hill CemeteryLot Sales (cremation ground lots) 13Mausoleum niche sales 0Interments 17Inurnments 17Disinterments 1Plot Surveys 2

White Oak CemeteryLot Sales 8Interments 4Inurnments 0Disinterments 0

Cemeteries 2015 Activity


• Leonard Springs Nature Day—Provided 725 MCCSC sixth-grade students with an experiential environmental science program during the program’s sixth year; 80 volunteers donated more than 537 hours to the facilitation of this program.

• Griffy Lake Nature Day—The sixth year for this environmental science program included 808 MCCSC fourth-grade students.

• May Bikes Month events attracted 292 participants• Re-routed a quarter mile section of the North Shore Trail at Griffy Lake with assistance from AmeriCorps National Civilian

Community Corps• Worked with Girl Scout Troop 69273 to create an online fitness program for the Jackson Creek Trail• Bugfest, a collaborative event with the Monroe County Parks and Recreation Department, attracted 820 participants• Sustaining Nature and Your Land (SNAYL) Day, a collaborative event with Monroe County-Identify and Reduce Invasive

Species, attracted 75 participants

Natural Resources



Griffy LakeAnnual Boat Launch Permits 68Boat Rentals 6,04810-Rental Pass 10Miscellaneous Rentals 33Rental Hours 7,222Daily Launch Permits 447

Banneker Nature Days 773Crestmont Earth Club 66Environmental Resources Ad Council 8Educational Events 4,054Great Outdoors 87Griffy Lake Nature Day 1,806Group Visits 412Hoosier Riverwatch 9Leonard Springs Nature Day 1,522Naturalist at the Market 290Volunteers 49Total 2015 Participations 23,633

Natural Resources 2015 Program Activity

Cascades Golf Course

Rounds Played 23,474Adult Season Pass 123Family Season Pass 53Senior Season Pass 197Youth Season Pass 37Student Season Pass 7Range Ball Buckets 3,702Hook A Kid on Golf 10Junior Clinic 12Junior Golf 126Junior Leagues 26Total 2015 Participations 27,767


Program ExpensesGeneral Fund $897,237Non-Reverting $110,982Total 2015 Expenses $1,008,220

Golf Services 2015 Program ActivityCascades Golf Course

has the objective of maximizing public play with a balance

of leagues, tournaments, youth programs, and golf

outings. Youth programs include

the Junior Program and Hook A Kid

on Golf.

Adopt-A ProgramsAdopt-An-Acre15 volunteers contributed 211 hours

Adopt-A-Stream7 volunteers contributed 32 hours

Adopt-A-Trail110 volunteers contributed 501 hours


AquaticsThe Aquatics program plans, coordinates, and facilitates recreational swimming, formal lessons,

private rentals, special group use, and advanced aquatic and personal safety training for theBloomington community and its visitors.

SportsThe Sports Division is responsible for providing formal and informal sports programs and services for the adults and youth of our community. These activities are provided at Department facilities such as

Cascades Golf Course, Frank Southern Ice Arena, Twin Lakes Sports Park, Winslow Sports Complex, and a variety of other Department-owned and operated facilities. In addition, facilities are utilized

in a cooperative agreement with Monroe County Community School Corporation.



Aquatics 2015 Program Activity

Bryan Park PoolAdmissions 39,964Waterslide 15,221Swim Lessons 371Passes 10,427Pool Rental Attendance 3,530

Mills PoolAdmissions 12,459Aqua Fit 325Passes 2,928Pool Rental Attendance 100

Health & SafetyFirst Aid & CPR 161CPR for the Professional Rescuer 3Automated External Defibrillation 40Preventing Disease Transmission 50Lifeguarding 30

Total 2015 Participations 85,609

Adult Sports Program Revenue

General Fund $80,124Non-Reverting $209,726Total 2015 Revenue $289,892


Adult Sports 2015 Program Activity

Softball 29,214Softball Tournaments 4,110Rentals 350Tennis Lessons 1,288Tennis Tournaments 72Total 2015 Participations 35,034

Adult Sports plans, coordinates, and

facilitates adult sports for the Bloomington community at Twin

Lakes Sports Park and local tennis courts.


Youth Sports plans, coordinates, and facilitates operations for Winslow Sports Complex, Rev. Butler Park, Frank Southern Ice Arena, and Bryan Park ball diamonds. These facilities host Bloomington

Junior League Baseball, Monroe County Senior League Baseball, Girls, Inc. Softball, and MCCSC baseball and softball events.

Frank Southern Ice Arena provides recreational and

organized ice skating to ice

enthusiasts from Bloomington and

surrounding communities.



Frank Southern Ice Arena

Adult Hockey League 1,911Blades Hockey 2,346Bloomington Figure Skating Club 1,198Hockey Initiation 493Ice Show 78IU Figure Skating 626IU Hockey 3,838IU Learn to Skate 853The Skating School 5,914Public Skating Admissions 15,786Rentals/Birthday Parties 2,408Rollergirls 1,230Special Events-Lunar Skating, etc. 2,345Stick & Puck/Pickup Games 251Youth Hockey 8,930Total 2015 Participations 47,956

Youth Sports• Renovated the Senior

Blue Field at Winslow Sports Complex to solve chronic drainage and standing water problems.

• Installed vertical backstop screens and bleacher protection at Twin Lakes Sports Park and Winslow Sports Complex. The netting greatly increased safety for spectators.

• Successfully hosted the ASA Girls Class B 16-Under Fastpitch Northern National tournament, with 34 teams competing.



Youth Sports 2015 Program Activity

Youth SportsBabe Ruth Baseball 2,191BJLBA Youth Baseball 16,237Bloomington HS South Sports 5,508Girls’ Fast Pitch Softball 4,917Jackson Creek MS Sports 2,878Kickball League 2,213Monroe Co. Sr. League Baseball 3,403Rentals (Winslow & Olcott) 1,568Rugby 70Soccer 240Tennis Lessons 1,085Ultimate Frisbee League 506


Frank Southern Ice Arena 2015 Program Activity

• Installed backup and secondary compressors to limit the possibility of a halt in ice-making capabilities. The compressor was donated by Cummins Engine and installed by Deem Mechanical.


The Twin Lakes Recreation Center, a 100,000 ft2 indoor sports, recreation, and fitness facility, was purchased by the department in 2009. Amenities

include five basketball courts, a turf field, a fitness area with strength equipment and free weights, a

cardio studio, a mirrored exercise studio, 1/5-mile indoor track, and meeting rooms. The department offers programs, through the TLRC and other facilities, that help make Bloomington a healthy, active community.

• Membership revenue was up 7% in 2015.• Revenue growth in the area of facility rental was up 18%,

or $22,388.

Twin Lakes Recreation Center

Twin Lakes Recreation Center 2015 Program Activity

Adult ActivitiesAdult Activities 1,008

TLRC ProgramsHourly Counts/Daily Counts 26,811Rentals 12,142Bloomington Youth Basketball 942Total 2015 Participations 40,903


Program ExpensesGeneral Fund $327,687Non-Reverting $953,461Total 2015 Expenses $1,281,148

Personal trainers offer customized fitness programs for members of the Twin Lakes Recreation Center.


RecreationThe Recreation Division is responsible for programs, events, and services specially designed for preschoolers, youth, teens, adults, senior adults, and participants with varying degrees of ability. These activities are held at Department facilities

such as the Allison-Jukebox Community Center, Banneker Community Center, and Showers Common. A number of programs are facilitated through partnership agreements with other community organizations.

Youth ProgramsYouth Programs is responsible for programs and

services designed for youth and teens. These activities take place at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center

and satellite sites. Youth Programs also includes the Inclusive Recreation area. The Bloomington Parks and

Recreation Department is committed to an inclusive approach to recreation.

Programming• Continued partnership with the Monroe County Community

School Corporation to offer Break Days. Participation increased 25% over 2014.

• Saw across-the-board increases in Kid City summer camp participation over 2014 numbers. Kid City Original increased by 25%; Kid City Quest increased by 24%; and Kid City Counselor-in-Training increased by 17%.

Inclusive Recreation• Served 8% more individuals with disabilities over 2014Facility—Allison-Jukebox Community Center• Painted bathrooms, entry way and hallways• Installed 10 retro-fit LED light kits, replacing 10 four-bulb 4’ fluorescent lights; re-wired and installed motion sensors in

restrooms, back room and storage room



Youth Programs/Inclusion/Rhino’s 2015 Program Activity

Adult/Family Sailing 22Ballroom Dancing 1,134Banneker Afterschool-Inclusion 49Break Days 786Break Days-Inclusion 21Kid City Camps-Inclusion 330Kid City Camps—Total 741Rentals 2,512Sports Lessons/Programs—Inclusion 14Youth Sailing Camp 122Rhino’s Open Program 249Rhino’s Rentals 10,735Rhino’s Youth Journalism 299Rhino’s Youth Visual Arts 439Rhino’s Youth Radio 595Rhino’s Youth Video 93Rhino’s Weekend 13,320



50+ Expo 700A Fair of the Arts 8,420Children’s Expo 490Community Gardens 3,975Drool in the Pool 225Evening with the Stars 1,196Farmers’ Market —Saturday 234,750Farmers’ Market—Saturday Vendors 2,578Farmers’ Market—Tuesday 2,268Farmers’ Market—Tuesday Vendors 208Festival of Ghost Stories 189Fourth of July Parade 8,000Garden Classes 280Holiday Market—Customers 6,738Holiday Market—Vendors 105Homegrown Indiana Farm Tours 117Junk in the Trunk 1,115Mad Egg Dash 305Messy Mania 152Mobile Stage Rentals 0Other Events 79Performing Arts Series 6,320Pumpkin Launch 770Seusspicious Behavior 551Touch a Truck 1,018Trick or Treat Trail 412Yappy Hour 18Total 2015 Participations 280,887

Community Events 2015 Program Activity

The Community Events area provides an eclectic mix of cultural and outdoor activities and year-round events to provide enjoyment, education, and a sense of community for the diversity of people who make Bloomington their home.

Special events and programs, Theater in the Park, art fairs, Performing Arts Series, Evening with the Stars movie series, Farmers’ Market, Community Gardens, and the Holiday Market are examples of the diversity in

programming and projects Community Events offers to the Bloomington community.

• Doubled attendance at annual Children’s Expo following change in venue to the Bloomington Monroe County Convention Center

• Competed in #playmatters social media campaign with not-for-profit KaBOOM! and was awarded a Rigamajig playset• Awarded a $6,500 grant from Lucky’s Market to create Lucky’s Little Sprouts Learning Center at Willie Streeter

Community Gardens• Created new music series: “Nature Sounds”. Four acoustic concerts by diverse assortment of musical groups were held in city

parks where the sounds of nature complemented the concert themes.• Expanded Movies in the Park to two new locations in 2015: Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park and the Ferguson Dog Park.• Launched “Yappy Hours” series at Ferguson Dog Park with Yappy Howl-O’-Ween the highlight event.• Nine launch teams competed in the annual Bloomington Pumpkin Launch. Two teams launched pumpkins a record distance

of 739 feet.• The Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market distributed more than $40,000 worth of Market Bucks (vouchers used to buy

food stamp-eligible product) with a grant supporting the doubling of customer’s SNAP benefits.• The Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market was presented with a “Best of ” Tourism Award from Visit Bloomington for

the second consecutive year.• Community garden spaces at Butler Park filled to capacity by the end of February 2015.

Community Events

Program Revenue—Farmers’ MarketGeneral Fund $0Non-Reverting $113,564Total 2015 Revenue $113,564

Program Expenses—Farmers’ MarketGeneral Fund $7,917Non-Reverting $106,067Total 2015 Expenses $113,985

Program Revenue—Community EventsGeneral Fund $9,520Non-Reverting $92,760Total 2015 Revenue $102,280

Program Expenses—Community EventsGeneral Fund $330,050Non-Reverting $50,323Total 2015 Expenses $380,374


Benjamin Banneker Community Center is a multi-purpose facility that offers year-round programs and services for citizens of all ages. Amenities include

a gymnasium, kitchen, library, and activity rooms. Programs include special events, drop-in activities, special interest classes, summer programs and camps, and

a variety of other services.



Banneker Community Center 2015 Program Activity

• Celebrated the Centennial Anniversary of the Banneker Community Center on December 9. Banneker staff led a ceremonial walk with participants in the Banneker Afterschool Program from the Monroe County History Center to Banneker, to reenact the walk students made in 1915 from the former “Colored School” to the new Banneker School. A Centennial Celebration took place at Banneker, with a ceremony, guest speakers, history displays, and facility tours.

• Partnered with Lucky’s Market to help support the growing Summer Food Service Program; 4,030 free, nutritious meals were served to children ages 5 through 18 years in 2015, and an average of 72 children per day participated in low-cost daytime programming.

• Continued partnership with Monroe County Community School Corporation to run a free after-school program at Fairview Elementary School. The program utilized the services of 83 volunteer tutors who contributed 2,100 hours during the fall semester. Local and Indiana University groups provided quality club programs such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), Lego Robotics, chess, and more. More than 20 community partners worked with students in grades K through 6.

• Banneker began Banneker Break Days in fall 2015, providing free programming for elementary school students on days when school was not in session. The program operated for 12 days in the fall, and will take place an additional six days in spring 2016.

Facility• Remodeled afterschool room and painted gymnasium• Installed new drinking fountain on second floor• Purchased and installed new dishwasher in second floor kitchen

Banneker Community Center

After-School Programs 7,205Attendance at Rentals 6,172Basketball-All Participations 856Block Party 225Break Days 354Drop-ins 1,899Family Resource Center Programs 1,877Food Service Program 2,845Head Start 54LEARN Homeschool 1,203Martial Arts 1,640MCCSC 297Paid Rentals 3,666Preschool Programs 762Senior Volleyball 1,348Special Olympics/Options 820Sports Shorties 465Waived Rentals 724Total 2015 Participations 28,746


H ealth and Wellness

The Health and Wellness area provides opportunities through programs, events and partnerships to encourage physical activity, to communicate the benefits of healthy choices and to promote department

resources which support healthy lifestyles.

• Increased participation in Itsy Bitsy Kids Triathlon by 50% over 2014 registration numbers. Thirty-six children between the ages of 5 and 10 years participated in 2015.

• Managed the Rigamajig playset awarded to the Parks and Recreation Department following the #playmatters social media campaign competition sponsored by KaBOOM! Rigamajig is a collection of wooden planks, wheels, pulleys, nuts, bolts, and rope that allows children to follow their curiosity through play. The Rigamajig playset was used at Kid City Break Days, Banneker Break Days, Banneker Afterschool Program, Healthy Halloween Party, and other events.

• Collaborated with Lucy Anderson and Anneka Nelson Laird from Girl Scout Troop 69723 to create the BFit exercise program on the Jackson Creek Trail. The Scouts created the BFit program to complete their Girl Scout Silver Award.

Active Living Coalition 16Be Active/Employee Wellness 272Bloomington Bikes Month 140Chair Aerobics 10G.O.A.L Program 702Hoosiers Outrun Cancer 150Jazzercise 1,254Lunch and Learn 13Itsy Bitsy Kids Triathlon 36Walking Club 278Youth Nutrition & Fitness Programs 164Total 2015 Participations 3,035



Health and Wellness 2015 Program Activity

Itsy Bitsy Kids Triathlon (swim portion) at Bryan Park Pool.

Rigamajig at Fall Break Days.


The Administration Division implements policy as set forth by the Board of Park Commissioners. Under direction of the Department Administrator, Division Directors manage Recreation Services, Sports,

and Operations and Development. The Office Manager and clerical staff provide financial and clerical support for all activities. The Community Relations Manager and staff coordinate graphic design,

promotions, marketing, sponsors, and volunteers.

Accomplishments

• Assisted the Bloomington Parks Foundation in fund raising initiatives.• Completed Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Five-Year Master Plan

-Contracted with the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands to complete the Master Plan that provides guidance and direction to civic leaders and residents about decisions that affect parks and recreation land, facilities, and programs. -Held numerous public input opportunities in 2015 to gather community input during the course of developing the Master Plan. -Presented initial master plan concepts to the City Council and the Board of Park Commissioners for final adoption in November.

Administration

Michael May, Chess Club at Banneker AfterschoolDuane Busick, Bloomington Community Farmers’ MarketIvy Kehoe and Jason Cherry, Global Youth Service DayStephen Bailey, Jim Koryta, Frank Parker, Park AmbassadorsJennifer Perry, Evans-Porter Library at Banneker

Special ServicesVolunteers

• Collaborated with Operations and Development Division to manage successful Park Ambassador program with citizen volunteers acting as liaisons in seven city parks

• Maintained volunteer database to efficiently house, update and correspond with 5,070 list subscribers.

Sponsors• Obtained $101,769 in monetary, service, and in-kind

sponsorships from 102 different businesses and individuals for Parks and Recreation programs and events.



Administration 2015 Program Activity

Bravo Award-presented to outstanding volunteers

Indiana University’s Training Research and Implementa-tion in Psychology Lab, Adopt-A-TrailJennifer Turrentine, Bloomington Girls SoftballGirl Scout Troop 03134 from University Elementary, Every Kid in a Park Campaign

Indiana University’s TRIP (Training Research and Implementation in Psychology) Lab Adopt-A-Trail

volunteers work at Griffy Lake.


The Department actively pursues grant opportunities tosupplement funding received through other sources.

MCCSC 21st Century Community Learning CenterGrant $29,241Banneker Afterschool ProgramRaymond Foundation $15,000Leonard Springs Nature DaysIndiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, Community and Urban Forestry Program $12,500Emerald ash borer mitigation and educationLucky’s Market $6,500Lucky’s Little Sprouts Learning Center, Willie StreeterCommunity GardensNational Park and Recreation Association Out-of-School Time Grant $5,000OrganWise Guys Nutrition Education ProgramSummer Star Foundation $4,340Griffy Lake Nature Days

Amateur Softball Association James Farrell ASA Award of Excellence—National Softball Tournament

Indiana Park and Recreation Association Outstanding Professional Award—Becky Barrick-Higgins

KaBOOM! Playful City USA Designation—8th consecutive year

Mid-America Trails and Greenways Outstanding Trail Award—B-Line Trail

National Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA Designation— 31st consecutive year

Visit Bloomington Tourism Award, Best Festival or Event— Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market

Partnerships

The Parks and Recreation Department entered into 29 partnership and cooperative service

agreements to maximize available resources and avoid duplication of services. The Department is proud to partner and collaborate with these

organizations in 2015:

Grants and Awards

• Active Living Coalition• BCT Management, Inc.• Bloomington Blades High School Hockey• Bloomington Blades Youth Hockey Association• Bloomington Figure Skating Club• Bloomington Junior League Baseball Association• B-Town Soccer• Downtown Bloomington Inc.• Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands• Hilltop Gardens at Indiana University• Indiana Park and Recreation Association• Indiana University School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation—Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies Department• IU Health Bloomington Hospital• Ivy Tech Community College• Jazzercise, Inc.• Lake Monroe Sailing Association• Monroe County Civic Theater• Monroe County Community School Corporation• Monroe County Fairgrounds• Monroe County Senior League Baseball Assoc.• Monroe County United Ministries• Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard• The Ryder Film Series• Special Olympics Indiana Monroe County• Summer Star Foundation• Theta Chi Fraternity• Visit Bloomington• White River Co-op• WonderLab Museum of Science, Health & Technology

Administration 2015 Program Activity


AdministrAtive stAffMick Renneisen.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .Department DirectorPaula McDevitt .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Recreation Services DirectorJohn Turnbull.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Sports DirectorDave Williams . .. .. .. .. .. Operations and Development Director

Office stAffLacie Davis . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Customer Service RepresentativeBrenda McGlothlin.. .. .. .. .. .. Customer Service RepresentativeLesilyn Neely .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Customer Service Representative

mAintenAnce stAffJohn Barnes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Master MEO Jon Behrman . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .Natural Resources Laborer IIDon Foddrill . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Facilities Working ForemanDave Fox . .. .. .. .. .. Sanitation and Grounds Working ForemanCurtis Gilstrap .. . Cemeteries/Landscaping Working ForemanDennis Helms .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. MEO IIMike Hollingsworth .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Laborer IIBill Kerr .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Equipment Maintenance MechanicDan Kluesner .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Sports LaborerChris Lamb .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . Athletic Fields Working ForemanRick Owings . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. CustodianKevin Prince . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Laborer IICarl Retzlaff.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Laborer IIDennis Robertson . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Master MEOJim Salisbury. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Laborer IIHaskell Smith .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Urban Forestry Laborer II Rob Turpin .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .Operations Crew Leader

The Department has a professional and connected staff of long-standing members of our community dedicated to providing quality parks, recreation and sports services.Staff

PrOgrAm suPervisOrs/mAnAgersRebecca Barrick-Higgins . .. .. .. .. . Community Events ManagerJ.D. Boruff .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Operations SuperintendentKim Clapp .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Office ManagerSteve Cotter .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Natural Resources ManagerAaron Craig .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Golf Facilities ManagerLee Huss .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Urban ForesterJulie Ramey .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Community Relations ManagerMark Sterner .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Sports Area ManagerMark Thrasher .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Golf Course Superintendent

cOOrdinAtOrs/sPeciAlistsLeslie Brinson.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Program/Facility CoordinatorEllen Campbell .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .Graphic DesignerBarb Dunbar . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .Operations Division CoordinatorDaren Eads .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Program/Facility CoordinatorKim Ecenbarger . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Special Services CoordinatorLynsie Haag.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Program SpecialistRobin Hobson.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Program SpecialistJeigh Hockersmith .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Sports/Facility CoordinatorGreg Jacobs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Community Events CoordinatorAlison Miller . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Health and Wellness CoordinatorMark Miller .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Aquatics and Fitness CoordinatorBill Ream . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Program/Facility CoordinatorWill Rose . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Program SpecialistMegan Schwartz .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Membership CoordinatorAmy Shrake .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Inclusive Recreation CoordinatorJason Sims .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .Golf Programs CoordinatorElizabeth Tompkins .. .. .. .. .. .. .Natural Resources CoordinatorDee Tuttle.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . Sports CoordinatorMarcia Veldman . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Program/Facility Coordinator


Message from the Board of Park CommissionersDear Community Members,

This past year has seen exciting benchmark events for the Parks and Recreation Department, the like of which the Department has not experienced since the completion of the B-Line Trail. I am referring, of course, to the making of the Switchyard Park and its inevitable impact on the community.

Through the substantial allocation of TIF funds, planning for the Switchyard Park has moved from the imagining stage to a design concept put down on paper. Much of the year was spent refining the original conceptual plan, which was developed with extensive community input. The Switchyard Park will ultimately be recognized as a seminal project in Bloomington, and will be looked back upon with pride and appreciation as a very special place that impacts the character of the community. The B-Line Trail has given us a perspective of what that kind of change can mean.

We also saw the undertaking of a major five-year planning process during 2015.The updated Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan 2016-2020 will provide future, crucial direction to the Parks and Recreation Department. The Board of Park Commissioners and the Parks and Recreation Department take these planning processes seriously, and utilized extensive surveys and community input strategies to gather ideas that reflect the desires and aspirations of the citizens of Bloomington. Over the years, an ongoing series of five-year planning efforts have shaped the course of the Department, from specific programs and services to major property enhancements and significant capital developments and acquisitions.

As we look toward next year and beyond, I am confident there will be much for the community to look forward to from the Parks and Recreation Department. Stay tuned!

Les Coyne, PresidentBoard of Park Commissioners

Board of Park CommissionersPresident Les Coyne

Board of Park Commissioners

Vice President John Carter Plan Commission Representative Jane St. John Joe Hoffmann

Values

Goat Farm, 2015. Photo by Kriste Lindberg.

Park Ridge Park, July 2015

MayorMark Kruzan

DirectorMick Renneisen

Board of Park CommissionersLes Coyne, PresidentJohn Carter, Vice PresidentJoe HoffmannJane St. John

Bloomington Parks Foundation Board of DirectorsTravis Vencel, PresidentValerie Peña, Past PresidentDebbie Lemon, SecretaryChris Hawk, TreasurerJason BanachFrank BarnhartLes CoyneWarren CutshallDoug DayhoffTed FergusonJohn GoodeJohn HurlowTom McGlassonTony MobleyJim MurphyChris QuackenbushKevin RoblingGary ScottDavid SkirvinKarin St. JohnTrish SterlingJon Tichenor

Emeritus MembersDoris BrinemanSteve FergusonArt LotzDon MartinJane McIntoshPat MulhollandJoan OlcottGayle Stuebe

city of bloomington, indiana parks and recreation department 2015 annual report

Documents