Park board approves contracts, grants and appointments; Switchyard camera repairs and mowing renewals among items
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Summary
The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners on a February 2026 meeting approved a series of vendor contracts, partnership grants and an appointment, including a $68,896 contract for Switchyard Park camera repairs, a $108,405 mowing renewal, and a $20,000 partnership grant for Enright East.
The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners approved multiple contracts, partnership agreements and an appointment at its February meeting, including a contract to repair security cameras at Switchyard Park, renewals of municipal mowing contracts and a $20,000 partnership grant for the Enright East active living center.
Sean Marler, a parks staff member, told commissioners that the department’s CCTV system at Switchyard Park includes "exactly 55 cameras, and approximately 38 of them are nonfunctional" because of environmental exposure and component failures. Staff recommended awarding a $68,896 contract to Convergent Technologies to repair and replace parts of that system; commissioners approved the contract by voice vote.
The board also approved a contract addendum to restore the historic limestone steps at the Banneker Community Center. Kevin Terrell said the addendum with Lithco Restoration Technologies adds $12,250 to the original contract to grout, pour concrete under the first step and landing, and replace 23 concrete masonry units to improve safety and longevity. He said the work follows guidance from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology and an inspection by Taber and Bruce.
Other vendor agreements approved included a three-year renewal with Green Dragon to mow 20 properties for $108,405 (covering about 27 mowing cycles April–early November) and a contract with For You Lawn and Landscape for $23,085 to mow 16 smaller city properties. Joanna Sparks, serving green space manager, said the Green Dragon renewal was an option written into the department’s 2024 contract; both mowing agreements were approved.
Mary Wells, the city’s natural resources manager, recommended a $57,749.39 contract with EcoLogic for ecological consulting and restoration at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve, Miller-Showers Park and Switchyard Park. The contract includes continued deer-browse monitoring (started in 2018) and about nine acres of wetland restoration work; commissioners approved it.
The board approved a partnership/grant agreement with Area 10 on Aging to support the Enright East active living center in College Mall at $20,000. Leslie Brinson, recreation division director, said the funding supports daily operations, programming and a lunch service at the center, which operates Tuesday–Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cody Martin, sports facility coordinator, presented partnership renewals with local leagues: Bloomington Junior League Baseball (about $18,000 in revenue to Winslow Sports Park), Monroe County Senior League Baseball (about $4,000), and Bloomington Football Club (about $8,000). The board approved all three agreements.
On appointments, Heidi Schumaker recommended and the board approved the appointment of Bridal Myers (noting a name change to Erica Myers in staff remarks) to the Environmental Resources Advisory Council for a two-year term. The council will then have one remaining vacancy to fill at a future meeting.
All formal motions and contract votes were made, seconded and carried by voice vote during the meeting. The board’s next regular meeting was announced for Monday, March 23 at 5 p.m.
