Page last updated on April 23, 2025 at 1:06 pm
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 proud to be one of 192 (in 2021) 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, and most recently in 2021. Read the announcement about the most recent accreditation.
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.
Policy Manual - updated April 2024
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
Master Plans
- Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan 2021-2025
- Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan 2016-2020
- Switchyard Park Master Plan 2012
Strategic Action Plans
- Strategic Action Plan - All Divisions March 2025
- Operations and Development Division 2021-2025 Strategic Action Plan
- Recreation Services Division 2021-2025 Strategic Action Plan
- Sports Division 2021-2025 Strategic Action Plan
- Administration/Community Relations 2021-2025 Strategic Action Plan
Annual Reports
- Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 2024
- Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 2023
- Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 2022
- Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 2021
- Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 2020
- Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 2019
- Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 2018
- Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 2017
- Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 2016
- Bloomington Parks and Recreation Annual Report 2015