Page last updated on February 8, 2026 at 7:31 pm
About Parks and Recreation
- The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for more than $52 million in City assets. Our Department manages 2,342 acres of property including 34 parks, 27 playgrounds, a golf course, ice arena, two outdoor pools, three community centers, three natural resource properties, 13 ballfields, 22 tennis courts, 19 basketball courts and more than 30 miles of trails.
- The Department is organized and managed in four program divisions including Administration, Recreation Services, Sports, and Operations and Development. These divisions are staffed by 53 full-time staff members and more than 450 seasonal staff. View the Parks and Recreation Department Staff Directory.
- More than 300 sports and recreation programs are provided annually to our community through the support of the Mayor, City Council, Board of Park Commissioners and most importantly, our citizens.
- Read Parks and Recreation's Public Policy Manual, updated April 2024
Bloomington Parks and Recreation is CAPRA Accredited
The Department is proud to be one of 222 (in 2026) nationally accredited agencies through the National Recreation and Park Association Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies. The accreditation standards are used as a management tool throughout the year for planning, operations, financials, community involvement, and evaluation. The Department was first accredited by CAPRA in 2001, and has been re-accredited in five-year increments in 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021, and most recently in 2025. Read the announcement about the most recent accreditation.
Mission
We equitably enrich community well-being by providing quality parks, trails, facilities, programs and services, and through the stewardship of natural spaces.
Vision
We strive to provide the highest quality parks, recreation services and greenspace to enhance the quality of life for our community.
Values
- Community
- Diversity
- Fun
- Stewardship
- Inclusion
- Respect
- Service
- Accountability
Annual Reports
- For more information about Parks and Recreation's Annual Reports containing participation and unaudited financial data, or for a link to a PDF file of an Annual Report from 2015 to 2024, email Parks and Recreation or call 812-349-3700.