Button and String Puzzles and Games at the Pond House

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Button and String Puzzles and Games at the Pond House

Date(s)
Saturday, September 13, 2025 - 1–4 p.m.
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Parks and Recreation Department

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Pond House button and string puzzles graphic 2023

Make a wooden button and string puzzle to take home! Befuddle your family and friends with these timeless head-scratchers. 

Try unraveling several more string puzzles which will be on display. Then learn to play Cat’s Cradle and other string games that have entertained families for centuries. 

This is a free program and all materials are provided. No registration required. Drop in any time during the 3-hour event.

blm.mn/pondhouse

While there, ask about Pond House tours.

Haŋté (Cedar) Healing Bridge Mural & Garden Celebration and Unveiling

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Haŋté (Cedar) Healing Bridge Mural & Garden Celebration and Unveiling

Date(s)
Saturday, September 20, 2025 - 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
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Creative Placemaking

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Old Cedar Avenue Bridge Trailhead Shelter
Rear view of garden and mural

Join the City of Bloomington and Minnesota Valley National Refuge to celebrate the completion and unveiling of the mural and garden project "Haŋté (Cedar) Healing Bridge" by Sandy Spieler and Tara Perron (Tanaǧidaŋ To Wiŋ) at the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge Trailhead building on Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 11 AM - 1 PM. 

Limited parking is available at the trailhead, please plan to bike or carpool. Overflow parking and a free shuttle to the celebration will be available at the Eagles Club parking lot at 9152 Old Cedar Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55425.

Enjoy delicious waffles, drinks, and more from Waffle Bar food truck.

Event activities will include:

  • 11:00 AM: Opening Ceremony (led by Sharon M. Day and Indigenous Peoples Task Force)
  • 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM:
    • Meet and chat with the artists
    • Buddha boards with prompts to thank water
    • Foraged plant cyanotype artist activity led by Aiyana Kline and Courtney Cochran
    • Tea ceremony and elder-led seed/tea giveaway, plant introductions by Flores De Miel
    • Music by guitarist Obsidian James.
  • 12:30 PM: Closing/Water Ceremony 
 
Learn more about the project and see progress photos at blm.mn/ocabmural.
 
This event is co-hosted by Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge with support from the "We Are Water MN" program. Learn more about water in our community by visiting the We Are Water exhibit at the Bloomington Education and Visitor Center between October 7th and November 30th.
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We are Water logos
We Are Water MN deepens connections between the humanities and water through a network of partnerships, a traveling exhibit, and public events. We Are Water MN helps communities, organizations, and individuals make better, more collaborative, and more relevant choices about water. To learn more, visit their website. 

Public Health Drop-in - Oasis for Youth

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Public Health Drop-in - Oasis for Youth

Date(s)
Thursday, August 28, 2025 - 2–3 p.m.
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Public Health Division

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Folks visiting Oasis for Youth can check in with a Bloomington Public Health Nurse to get connected to services and support with sexual health education and pregnancy & parenting support, referrals for programming offered by the Public Health Division, free health resources that include but aren’t limited to low-cost medical care, dental, health insurance, childcare, transportation, food, housing-related resources, and anything else that may be helpful. 

This drop-in time typically occurs on the last Thursday of the month from 2pm-3pm.

Immunization clinic with Public Health Nurses

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Immunization clinic with Public Health Nurses

Date(s)
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 - 12:30–4 p.m.
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Public Health Division

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Immunizations available by appointment. Please call 952-563-8900 to schedule with an intake nurse. There is a $20 donation request per vaccination. However, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Public Health at Bloomington Public Schools' Learning LinkUp

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Public Health at Bloomington Public Schools' Learning LinkUp

Date(s)
Saturday, August 23, 2025 - 12–3 p.m.
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Alejandra Gutierrez

Program Secretary
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Valley View play fields
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Bloomington Public Health will be one of many resource tables at Bloomington Public Schools' back-to-school event: Learning LinkUp! Stop by to connect with Bloomington Public Health staff about services, programs, health resources, and get up-to-date health information.

 

Bloomington Public Health will also be offering vaccines at the Learning LinkUp on our Mobile Health Hub to help get students updated on vaccines. Registration is required and space is limited to those who:


•    are uninsured or insurance doesn’t cover a particular vaccine 
•    are 18 and or under and on a Minnesota state health care program (MA, MN Care, PMAP – insurance information needs to brought with to the appointment) 
•    are 18 or under and are American Indian/Alaskan Native. 


To register, call the main Bloomington Public Health line at 952-563-8900 and request a vaccine appointment for 8/23/2025 at the Learning Link up event. We will only be able to see folks that pre-register, so if you are interested in scheduling, please do so by 8/20/2025. Bloomington Public Health staff will also be available to schedule vaccine appointments at a later date, answer health related questions, and provide up-to-date health information and resources. 

 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Public Health at the Southdale YMCA

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Public Health at the Southdale YMCA

Date(s)
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 - 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
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Public Health Division

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Bloomington Public Health serves the communities of Bloomington, Edina and Richfield.

YMCA members, potential new members, and staff can stop by the Public Health table to learn about the services Bloomington Public Health provides, learn about up-to-date public health information, and get connected to health resources in the community.
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Bump & Boo Adult Volleyball Tournament

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Bump & Boo Adult Volleyball Tournament

Date(s)
Saturday, October 25, 2025 - 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
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Parks and Recreation Department

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Bethany Gym at Substance Church
Purple graphic with orange spider webs, black bats, jack-o-lanterns, and volleyball players

Join in a scary good (and competitive) time at the Bloomington Bump & Boo Adult Volleyball Tournament

  • When: Saturday, October 25, 2025, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
    • Time is approximate and will be adjusted based on number of participating teams
  • Where: Bethany Gym at Substance Church, 6900 Auto Club Road, Bloomington, MN 55438
  • Cost: $100 per team
  • Registration: Required and accepted until full.
    • For adults 18 years of age and above.
    • Costumes required.
    • Sign up online at Webtrac (registration opens soon!).

For more information or questions, call 952-563-8877, MN Relay 711, or email parksrec@bloomingtonmn.gov


Electrify Everything Online Webinar

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Electrify Everything Online Webinar

Date(s)
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 - 6–7 p.m.
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Sustainability

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Thinking about upgrading your home’s appliances or heating and cooling systems? Learn how to make the switch to efficient, electric options that save money and reduce carbon emissions. This webinar will walk you through electrifying your home’s heating, cooling, cooking, clothes drying, and water heating. You’ll leave with helpful tools, contractor resources and information about available rebates. Register at https://www.electrifyeverythingmn.org/events.

Time of Sale Energy Disclosure Online Webinar

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Time of Sale Energy Disclosure Online Webinar

Date(s)
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 - 6–7 p.m.
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Sustainability

Building and Inspections Division

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Learn how Bloomington’s Time of Sale Energy Disclosure program helps homebuyers and sellers make smart, energy-efficient decisions. Every home sold in Bloomington receives a home energy score. This webinar will cover what the score means and how it can guide cost-saving improvements to make homes more comfortable and efficient. Homebuyers will also learn how to use the energy score to better understand long-term energy performance. Presented by the Center for Energy and Environment in partnership with the City of Bloomington. Register here to attend.

View your home's Energy Disclosure report.

Bloomington Selects its Next City Manager

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Bloomington Selects its Next City Manager

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Zach Walker

The Bloomington City Council has selected Zach Walker to be its next city manager. Walker has nearly two decades of executive level local government experience, most recently serving as city manager of Independence, the fifth largest city in Missouri. 

“Independence shares a lot in common with Bloomington,” Mayor Tim Busse said. “Zach brings an impressive resume and a lot of accomplishments to the table. I’m excited for the community to get to know him.” 

In Independence, Walker oversees a full-service city of more than 1,200 employees and a $454 million budget. He has led major initiatives focused on strategic planning, fiscal discipline, organizational modernization and inclusive community development.

Walker has championed transformational projects including a $1 billion industrial development, a $36 million commercial redevelopment, and the first Comprehensive Development Plan update in 25 years. He led the creation of the City’s first Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and implemented its inaugural Tourism Master Plan. Other major accomplishments include completing more than $70 million in capital improvements, launching a citywide housing study, and expanding mental health and homelessness outreach services through innovative partnerships.

“I’m honored to join the City of Bloomington as its next city manager. This is a vibrant, forward-thinking community with a strong sense of civic pride and shared purpose,” Walker said. “I look forward to working alongside the City Council, dedicated City staff, and engaged residents to build on Bloomington’s many strengths, foster inclusive growth, and deliver high-quality services that support a thriving, welcoming city for all. I’m excited to get started and to become part of a community that clearly cares deeply about its future.” 

Walker began his career in the Missouri House of Representatives and the Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission before completing the Cookingham-Noll Fellowship with the City of Kansas City, Missouri. He joined Independence in 2012, rising from internal auditor to assistant city manager before becoming city manager in 2016. He holds a master of public affairs from the University of Missouri, is an ICMA-Credentialed Manager, and currently serves as President of the Missouri City/County Management Association.

Zach Walker will begin as Bloomington’s city manager this fall.  

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Steven Barrett

Human Resources Manager
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