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Parks board approves concert partnership with IU, trail and maintenance contracts, and a slate of sponsorship and fee changes
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Summary
The Bloomington Parks board approved a consent agenda that included an IU partnership for three Grand Floon concerts at Switchyard Park, construction and inspection contracts for the Power Line Trail, a 15-year Verizon tower lease extension, mowing and tree contracts, and a package of fee and sponsorship updates.
At the March meeting the Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners approved a multi-item consent package and several standalone agreements covering events, capital projects, maintenance and community programs.
Key approvals included a cooperative partnership with Indiana University to host the Grand Floon Concert Series at Switchyard Park (three ticketed shows: June 20, July 18 and Aug. 29). Leslie Brinson, Recreation Division Director, said Parks will manage contracts for parking, fencing and other event infrastructure with reimbursement from IU; an IU representative described Grand Floon’s growth since 2018.
The board also approved a construction contract for the new Power Line Trail to Monroe LLC, the low bidder at $637,775 to be paid from the bicentennial bond, and an accompanying contract with REA for construction inspection services (not to exceed $124,950). Parks approved a 15-year lease extension with Verizon for the Ops Center cell tower, which staff described as a revenue source with a built-in escalator.
Other approved items included the 2026 Switchyard Park mowing contract to Green Dragon, Inc. (not to exceed $33,025), a memorandum of understanding with Greystar for off-site tree planting connected to Fell Iron development (about 143 trees, roughly 40 street trees), continuation of the Youth Tree Tenders partnership with Canopy Bloomington (not to exceed $13,000) that hires about 10 high-school students for seasonal tree work, and phase two of a storm-resiliency pruning project with Bluestone Tree LLC (grant-funded, not to exceed $25,000).
Julie Ramey presented a sponsorship agreement template to resume an Adopt-a-Roundabout program; the template sets sign sizes under the city sign ordinance, allows multiple sponsors per roundabout (or one sponsor to buy all entries), and excludes political and other restricted advertising. The board approved the template.
The Parks Department also approved a partnership with the Bloomington Pickleball Club granting exclusive use of RCA Park courts Tuesdays and Thursdays 6–8 p.m. April–October; staff recommended a usage fee increase from $5 to $7.50 per court per hour. Finally, staff presented periodic 2026 fee schedule updates across operations, sports and aquatics, and the board approved an updated pool fee-waiver policy that uses existing federal program documentation for eligibility (reducing staff administrative checks).
Votes on the motions were taken by voice; for routine consent items and the agreements listed staff reported motions carried during the meeting.
Ending: Most items were approved on the consent agenda or by simple motions during the meeting; staff will manage contract execution and return to the board if additional approvals or funding changes are required.
