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Page last updated on September 7, 2021 at 2:03 pm

For more information, please contact

Paula McDevitt, Administrator, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, mcdevitp@bloomington.in.gov or 812.349.3711

Spray Pad at Switchyard Park Opens June 30

Bloomington, Ind. - The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department opens the nozzles on Switchyard Park’s newest feature at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 30.

Together with Parks and Recreation officials, Mayor John Hamilton will attend the opening of the spray pad, a system of nearly 90 nozzles and misters that spray water into the air. Located in the central "platform" area near the Pavilion at Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St., the spray pad will be open daily from 10 a.m. through 8 p.m., weather permitting.

In keeping with current public health guidelines, maximum occupancy of no more than 50 people at any one time will be in place at the spray pad, along with recommended physical distancing. Visitors to the spray pad are asked to be mindful that there may be a wait to enter, and that others may be waiting to enjoy the facility. There is no fee to use the spray pad.

The spray pad is an accessible facility that gives visitors of all abilities an opportunity to interact with the water, which is treated in a closed, chlorinated system similar to those used for swimming pools. Benches on each side of the spray pad provide convenient seating. Six all-gender restrooms/changing rooms in a building immediately north of the spray pad will also open June 30. The facility has passed thorough inspections of its mechanical and water filtration systems in preparation for opening day.

"The Department is excited about unveiling the spray pad to the community. Physical activity and access to outdoor spaces has always been vital to the health and well-being of our community, and never more than during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Paula McDevitt, Administrator of the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. “Switchyard Park provides a variety of options to enjoy the outdoors while staying safe, which remains our top priority. We encourage park visitors to follow COVID-19 precautions while visiting any of our park system locations and facilities.”

Substantially completed and unveiled to the community November 14, 2019, Switchyard Park is the City’s most ambitious park project to date, converting a long-unused railway switchyard to a 57-acre park in the heart of the city featuring basketball, bocce, and pickleball courts, a performance stage, pavilion, dog park, and numerous other attractions. The park has been open to the public and construction crews have been completing the park’s features since the ribbon cutting. The playground at Switchyard Park reopened on June 12—along with other City park playgrounds—when Monroe County entered Stage 4 of the state's plan for resuming activities in the wake of COVID-19. The park’s performance lawns and dog park will open after newly laid sod can take root.

A video of the Switchyard Park spray pad may be viewed here. For more information about the spray pad at Switchyard Park, contact Hsiung Marler, Switchyard Park General Manager, at marlerh@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3961. ###