The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners voted to change operating hours for the city’s two cemeteries, Rose Hill and White Oak, to open at 7 a.m. and close one hour after the official sunset each day.

Board members adopted the amendment to Parks Policy 13080 after a discussion about safety, historic site management and the practical difficulty of using a fixed clock time during winter months when sunset is early. Commissioner Jim Whitlatch moved to amend the proposed 7 a.m.–10 p.m. hours to close “1 hour past sunset,” and the board approved the change by voice vote.

The policy change followed presentations from Rebecca Swift, operations and development division director, and Mary Wells, natural resources manager, who said staff researched other municipalities and cited ongoing reports of late‑night loitering, vandalism and security concerns at Rose Hill. Swift told the board the change would “formalize consistent, respectful, and manageable hours of public access aligned with the unique nature of these sites.”

Commissioners debated whether a fixed clock time or a sunset‑based schedule was preferable. Whitlatch said a sunset‑based closing “gives people, it gives our park people, it gives the police, it gives others a chance” and moved the amendment. Tim Street, director of parks and recreation, said the city has seen cemetery‑specific reports and that the change would let staff test a different policy at two locations before considering broader park‑hour changes.

Board members and staff noted exceptions in the policy for programmed events and ceremonial uses; Swift said the change would not bar permitted evening programs such as the cemetery’s seasonal “Dearly Departed” event. Staff also said Rose Hill has multiple access points and no single gate, and that fencing or historically sensitive barriers would be costly.

The board approved the amendment at the meeting; commissioners did not specify any additional enforcement steps at the time, though staff said they plan to post clearer signage at entrances and are exploring fencing and other options where feasible.

The policy change takes effect immediately as the board adopted it during the May meeting; staff said they will follow up with implementation details and signage plans.