BLOOMINGTON
COMMUNITY M GUIDE 2024 2
Parks provide recreation for everyone
Bloomington provides activities and access to recreational spaces across the city for people of all ages and abilities .
From playgrounds to athletic amenities , Bloomington ’ s city parks provide recreational opportunities for all ages .
At nearly 9,000 acres , more than one-third of Bloomington ’ s 38.3 square miles of land and water is dedicated to parks and open space . Most of the Minnesota River Valley , including the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge , is managed by the city of Bloomington and U . S . Fish and Wildlife Service . In partnership with Three Rivers Park District , the city operates Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve . The U . S . Fish and Wildlife Service manages 4,211 acres of land and waters in Bloomington , and Three Rivers Park District manages an additional 1,268 acres .
Parks and open space in Bloomington cover approximately 14 square miles of the city . The city ’ s 97 parks have much to offer . Consisting of 3,448 acres of land and water , Bloomington ’ s parks are home to :
• 63 baseball and softball fields
• 32 soccer / football / lacrosse fields
• 28 horseshoe courts
• 42 outdoor basketball courts
• 43 playgrounds
• 45 tennis courts , 14 dedicated pickleball courts
• 9 outdoor ice skating sites
• 16 park buildings
• 17 picnic shelters ( 7 available to rent )
• 4 community garden sites ( totaling 210 individual garden plots available to rent )
• 40 + miles of off-road trails
Golfers enjoy the city-owned and managed 18-hole Dwan Golf Course . Skaters of all levels are welcomed at Bloomington Ice Garden , and Bloomington Center for the Arts offers a variety of creative and performing arts programs , performances and events .
In the summer , the Normandale Lake Bandshell hosts a series of concerts and other family entertainment . Bryant , Sunrise and Westwood parks are home to paved rinks used for in-line skating , and a free splash pad area is available at Cedarcrest Park .
The Valley View Playfields feature six bocce ball courts , the Kent Hrbek Youth Baseball Complex and the 500-seat Toro Grandstand at Red Haddox Baseball Field . Other cityrun recreational facilities include Creekside Community Center and Bloomington Family Aquatic Center .
Many other recreational options exist within Bloomington ’ s parks and facilities . A list of parks and their amenities is available online at blm . mn / bloomington-parks .
Bloomington Community Guide | 2024 | 11