BLOOMINGTON – Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington. The City will provide regular public updates on a range of these improvements as they progress.
Peoples Park Renovation Project
Visitors to Peoples Park will notice a new overhead ring light that was installed last week as the final part of a park renovation project that began this past spring. Along with the new light, upgrades include removal of damaged light bollards, relocation within the park of its signature limestone sculpture, and replacement and resealing of the bomanite architectural concrete in parts of the park.
Griffy Lake Accessible Fishing Pier and Loop Trail Project
A temporary drawdown of Griffy Lake began Monday, August 2 in order to provide a clear view of the shoreline and lake bed for those considering bidding on the Griffy Lake Loop Trail and Accessible Fishing Pier project. One of seven Bicentennial Bond projects announced by Mayor John Hamilton in 2018 and approved by the Bloomington City Council, the Griffy Lake project is accepting construction bids through Friday, August 20.
Pumps are currently operating near the dam to lower the water level in Griffy Lake by approximately four feet so that those attending a pre-bid meeting on August 9 can evaluate the shoreline in order to complete their bids. Following the pre-bid meeting, the water level at Griffy Lake will be allowed to return to normal.
Boat rental operations at Griffy Lake will be closed from August 2 through 14, as water will no longer reach the level of the boat ramp or boat docks. The boat ramp will be closed to private boat launching during this time as well (with the reminder that launching private watercraft from other locations along the shore of Griffy Lake is not permitted at any time). The City warns visitors to Griffy Lake to stay out of the lake bed during the drawdown and assumes no responsibility for injuries that occur or items lost to or by individuals venturing onto the lake bed, where there is deep mud beneath the dried surface. Inquiries about the lake drawdown may be directed to griffy.boathouse@bloomington.in.gov.
A contract for construction of the Griffy Lake project is scheduled to be reviewed for approval at the September meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners. This project also includes a realignment of the entry drive into the Griffy Lake parking lot and a guardrail along Headley Road across from the boathouse. The construction documents for this project are posted at https://www.bloomingtonplanroom.com/.
The 7-Line Multimodal Corridor
Construction of the 7-Line multimodal corridor is progressing ahead of schedule. Construction began in early June on the eastern end of the project, with the section from Woodlawn to Indiana Avenue reopened well in advance of an announced August 9 completion date. With last week’s completion of the island separating motor vehicles from bicycles between Lincoln and Grant Streets, that block has been reopened to traffic. Construction has progressed to the block between Lincoln and Washington Streets this week, necessitating the closure of that block to through traffic. Beginning the week of August 9, the block of 7th Street from Washington to Walnut Street will be closed to traffic for construction.
Building on the success and transformative effect of the north-south B-Line, this Bicentennial Bond Project will provide a protected east-west bicycle lane, improved bus stops, and improved pedestrian features. Extending 0.72 miles from Woodlawn Avenue to the B-Line Trail, the 7-Line will connect the B-Line, downtown, the Indiana University campus, and neighborhoods on the city’s east and west sides while improving comfort, safety, and efficiency for all road users.17th and Dunn Signal Improvement Project The intersection of 17th Street and Dunn Street is scheduled to reopen on August 14 as a four-way stop until the signal improvement project is complete. The intersection has been closed since early June to accommodate a project to replace and upgrade the traffic signal equipment and make geometric improvements, including curbing, sidewalk, asphalt, pavement markings, landscaping, and stormwater management. More information about this project is available here.
Jackson Creek Trail Phase II Project
Construction of the northern section of the Jackson Creek Trail Phase II on South High Street near Childs School has been completed in time for the start of the school year, as scheduled. Work on the trail will continue along High Street and Arden Drive. Within the coming weeks, Arden Drive will be temporarily closed to through traffic to accommodate the installation of a raised crosswalk at the entrance to Southeast Park.
This project adds 1.5 miles to the trail and multiuse path and will increase safety and provide connections for bicyclists and pedestrians to Jackson Creek Middle School, Sherwood Oaks Park, Childs Elementary School, Southeast Park, and the Goat Farm property. The northern section of the trail, extending from Southeast Park to the High-Winslow-Rogers roundabout, is scheduled for completion by November 2021. The trail’s southern section, extending along Jackson Creek from Sare and Rhorer Roads to the existing trail at Sherwood Oaks Park, is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2022. More information is available at https://bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/jackson-trail.
Periodic Trail Closures
Parks & Recreation staff will be clearing vegetation and performing work on portions of the Bloomington Rail Trail and Clear Creek Trail during the week of August 9-13. Sections of the trails will be periodically closed for safety during this time. Information will be communicated to trail users via Parks’ social media channels, and via signs along the trail, closer to the start date.
City Pools and Spray Pad
Closed for the 2021 swimming season, Mills Pool will host the annual Drool in the Pool dog swimming event today from 5-8 p.m. The pool will be drained and prepped for the winter beginning Friday, August 6. Bryan Park Pool has adjusted to “back to school” hours this week, Saturdays and Sundays only from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. through September 5, and a final day Monday, September 6 (Labor Day) from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. The Community Foundation Switchyard Plaza spray pad will remain open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily as the weather allows.
Winslow Woods Park Playground
Originally installed in 1990, the playground at Winslow Woods Park on South Highland Avenue is being updated with new equipment and surfacing. This week, Parks and Recreation crews continue to remove the old equipment and rubber surfacing, and prepare the site, and pour concrete curbs to accommodate the new playground, which is scheduled for installation beginning the week of August 16. Information about the new playground design is available at Winslow Woods Park | City of Bloomington, Indiana.
