Mayor Kerry Thomson

Page last updated on May 9, 2025 at 3:16 pm

Bloomington City Parks

 

Hours of Operation

Unless otherwise noted, City park hours are 5 a.m.-11 p.m.

Hours of operation for Rose Hill and White Oak Cemeteries are 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Behavior Guidelines - Policy 11080

Date: October 27, 2009
Updated: October 20, 2020
Updated: November 2024

POLICY RE: Behavior Guidelines

Facilities and programs under the authority of the Board of Park Commissioners of the Bloomington Department of Parks and Recreation are intended for the recreational use and enjoyment of residents of the City of Bloomington and guests. This policy is intended to regulate participants’ conduct. 

Inappropriate Behavior
Inappropriate behavior is that which compromises the safety, security, maintenance, use, and enjoyment of the parks and parks-managed properties and facilities. “Inappropriate behavior” includes, but is not be limited to, the following:

  • Violations of federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.
  • Behavior that is disruptive, harassing, or threatening in nature to park users or staff, including stalking, unwanted physical contact, or verbal abuse.
  • Interference with the safe and free passage of park users or staff in parks, including but not limited to, lying, sitting, or placing objects (bags, personal items, strollers) in hallways, aisles, floors, doorways, vestibules, bathrooms, or elsewhere in a manner that unreasonably impedes the free passage of person about the park or within park facilities.
  • Selling products or services on Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department property without prior approval of the department, with an exception for those that qualify under Indiana House Bill 1077- Child Operated Refreshment Stands.
  • Using tobacco and vaping products, alcohol, or illegal drugs on Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department property.
  • Harassing any person on the basis of race, sex, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • Parking in areas or spaces not designated for parking.
  • Damaging park grounds, materials, furniture, equipment or facilities.
  • Improperly using or loitering within park restrooms or facilities in a manner which unreasonably prevents access to and use of the restrooms by other users or City staff, damaging restrooms or leaving them in a condition such that they are unusable by others.
  • Engaging in behavior that otherwise unreasonably interferes with the intended use of the park, including making ongoing noise or using personal electronic devices at such a volume that it interferes with park services and activities.
  • Using Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department properties outside of their established hours. Exception is granted to those using paved trails for transportation purposes.
  • Engaging in any sport, game, or activity in a rough or reckless manner that may endanger, injure, or damage any person or property.
  • Climbing trees, plants, fences, walls, or other structures or property other than recreational equipment installed by the Department and intended for use by the public for this purpose.
  • Camping on lands of the department or inhabiting any structure or facility overnight without a permit (also see “Use of Structures on Park Properties” - Policy #13220).
  • Destructive harvesting and foraging (see related “Harvesting and Collecting” - Policy #13520).
  • Using fireworks, air rifles, paintball guns, bow and arrows, crossbows, swords, and pellet guns or any items that may be dangerous or used as weapons.
  • Building fires except in locations designated for that use (permanent fire pits and grills).

 

Revised Administration Policies - 2050

Date: May 28, 2013
Updated: February 17, 2020
Updated: November 12, 2024

POLICY RE: Removal and Suspension from use of property owned, managed or operated by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department

I. Removal

(A) In accordance with authority established in Ind. Code § 36-10-4 et cet., and Bloomington Municipal Code 2.20, a person may be asked to leave or be removed from property owned, managed or operated by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department for reasons that include, but are not limited to:

  1. Actions or behavior which violate the United States Code;
  2. Actions or behavior which violate the Indiana Code;
  3. Actions or behavior which violate the Indiana Administrative Code;
  4. Actions or behavior which violate the County of Monroe or City of Bloomington ordinances;
  5. Actions or behavior which violate the Rules and Regulations adopted by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department or City of Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners, unless the appropriate permit has been obtained;
  6. Aggressive or violent actions or behavior;
  7. Actions or behavior that unreasonably disrupts the activities of other users of the park or facility;
  8. Actions or behavior that unreasonably interferes with other persons' ability to use the park or facility;
  9. Actions or behavior which unreasonably causes or creates a risk of causing injury to persons within or on property owned, managed or operated by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department;
  10. Actions or behavior which unreasonably causes or creates a risk of causing damage to property owned, managed or operated by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department; or
  11. Actions or behavior which constitutes a public nuisance.

(B) The following individuals have authority to ask a person to leave or ask for a person to be removed from property owned, managed, or operated by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department:

  1. Employees or agents of the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department; or
  2. Law enforcement officers as defined by Indiana Code.

(C) Any person who is asked to leave or is removed from property owned, managed or operated by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department shall be advised of the reason he/she is being asked to leave or is being removed. Any person who is asked to leave by a law enforcement officer as defined by Indiana Code and refuses to do so may be subject to arrest.

II. Suspension

(A) In accordance with authority established in Ind. Code § 36-10-4 et cet., and Bloomington Municipal Code 2.20, a person may be suspended from use or entrance on property owned, managed, or operated by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department for reasons that include, but are not limited to:

  1. Actions or behavior which violate the United States Code;
  2. Actions or behavior which violate the Indiana Code;
  3. Actions or behavior which violate the Indiana Administrative Code;
  4. Actions or behavior which violate the County of Monroe or City of Bloomington ordinances;
  5. Actions or behavior which violate the Rules and Regulations adopted by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department or City of Bloomington Parks Board, unless the appropriate permit has been obtained;
  6. Aggressive or violent actions or behavior;
  7. Actions or behavior that unreasonably disrupts the activities of other users of the park or facility;
  8. Actions or behavior that unreasonably interferes with other persons' ability to use the park or facility;
  9. Actions or behavior which unreasonably causes or creates a risk of causing injury to persons within or on property owned, managed or operated by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department;
  10. Actions or behavior which unreasonably causes or creates a risk of causing damage to property owned, managed or operated by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department; or
  11. Actions or behavior which constitutes a public nuisance.

(B) The determination that a person is to be suspended from use or entrance on property owned, managed or operated by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is limited to the Director of Parks and Recreation and/or their appointed designee.

(C) Notice of Suspension. A person may not be suspended from a use or entrance on property owned, managed or operated by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department unless or until he or she has been notified of the suspension.

  1. Notification of the suspension shall be served in writing via certified mail or personal service.
  2. The written notification shall state the reason for the suspension, the date upon which the suspension begins, the length of the suspension, the repercussion of ignoring the suspension and the process by which a person may appeal the suspension.
  3. The Notification shall be signed and dated by the Director of Parks and Recreation and/or their appointed designee.

(D) Appeal of Suspension. Any person who receives a Notification of Suspension shall have the right to appeal said suspension. Any appeal shall adhere to the following requirements:

  1. All appeals shall be in writing and on a form supplied by the Parks and Recreation Department.
  2. All appeals shall be submitted to the City of Bloomington Parks Board, via the Parks and Recreation Department, within ten (10) days of the suspension being received. The date upon which the suspension is considered received is the date upon which the suspended person is personally served or the date upon which the certified mail is signed.
  3. Upon receipt of a written appeal, the City of Bloomington Parks Board shall hear the appeal at its next regularly scheduled meeting, provided said appeal can be properly noticed in accordance with Indiana Open Door Law.
  4. The person filing the appeal shall be notified, in writing, of the date, time and location of the hearing by the City of Bloomington Parks Board. This notification shall be served via personal service or certified mail.
  5. During the pendency of any appeal the suspension is in effect, and the suspended person is prohibited from entering upon or into any property owned, managed, or operated by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.

(E) Suspension Hearing. All hearings on a suspension shall be open to the public and comply with the Indiana Open Door Law.

  1. Any person challenging his or her suspension shall be entitled to present his or her defense to the City of Bloomington Parks Board on his/her own behalf or through his/her representative.
  2. Any person challenging his or her suspension shall be entitled to a minimum of ten minutes to present his or her case to the Parks Board.
  3. Any person challenging his or her suspension shall be entitled to present evidence, documents and witnesses supporting his or her position at the suspension hearing.
  4. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the City of Bloomington Parks Board shall make written findings of fact either upholding or overturning the suspension. Said findings of fact shall be made available to the person challenging the suspension.

(F) Maximum Length of Suspension. No suspension shall be issued that is shorter than seven (7) calendar days and lasts longer than two (2) calendar years.

(G) Entry upon or into any property owned, managed, or operated by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department by a person who is suspended in accordance with this Policy shall subject the person to arrest for criminal trespass in accordance with Ind. Code § 35-43-2-2.