City of Bloomington 2025 Community Survey Now Open

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City of Bloomington 2025 Community Survey Now Open

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Bloomington residents are invited to participate in the annual National Community Survey™. This is an opportunity to provide input about how the City is serving its residents. The survey includes questions about the quality of life in the community as well as your satisfaction with local government services.

Please note that once you have answered the questions, you will be asked to provide your email and zip code. This is optional. Responses are confidential and no identifying information will be shared.

Take the survey by June 25 at blm.mn/survey2025.

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City of Bloomington

Naturalist Program: Nature Craft - Fairy Gardens (*canceled*)

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Naturalist Program: Nature Craft - Fairy Gardens (*canceled*)

Date(s)
Sunday, July 13, 2025 - 1–3 p.m.

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Parks and Recreation Department

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Outdoor scene with small green bucket on a rock with decorative fairy items

This event is canceled out of an abundance of caution due to air quality concerns. 


Are you looking for a fun and whimsical way to get creative? Join a naturalist at Harrison Park to create your very own fairy garden! 

Explore Nine Mile Creek to find rocks, sticks and other nature materials to turn into a home for your backyard fairies. 

  • Additional materials will be available to help make your imaginations come to life.
    • Provided on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
  • Head south down the trail from the parking lot.
    • Tables will be set up at the first trail intersection.
  • No experience is necessary.
  • Free program. No registration required. 

Questions? Email parksrec@bloomingtonmn.gov


Presented as part of the ongoing Naturalist Programs series. 

Bandhigga Ilaha Caafimaad ku Noolaanta iyo Caafimaad ku Waaridda/Healthy Living & Sustainability Resource Fair (Somali Language)

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Bandhigga Ilaha Caafimaad ku Noolaanta iyo Caafimaad ku Waaridda/Healthy Living & Sustainability Resource Fair (Somali Language)

Date(s)
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 - 3–5 p.m.

Contact Information

Contact Information

Munira Salad

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Talaado, August 12, 2025 
3-5 galabnimo
Maktabadda Oxboro (Oxboro Library)
8801 Portland Ave S,
Bloomington, MN 55420

Shaqaale ka socda Bloomington Public Health and Sustainability (Bandhigga Ilaha Caafimaad ku Noolaanta iyo Caafimaad ku Waaridda ee Bloomington) ayaa idinla wadaagi doona ilaha kaa caawin kara inaad ku noolaato nolol caafimaad leh oo waara. Macluumaadka waxaa lagu heli doonaa af Soomaali iyada oo lala kaashanayo shaqaale iyo turjubaano ku hadla af Soomaaliga.

  • Baro waxyaalo ku saabsan orgaaniga iyo dib-u-warshadaynta.
  • Baro sida gurigaaga looga dhigo mid caafimaad qaba oo raaxo badan leh.
  • Baro waxyaalo ku saabsan ilaha caafimaadka ee bilaashka ah.

Cuntooyin fudud (snacks) oo bilaash ah! 
Waxaan ku hadlaa Soomaali Weelasha qashinka lagu shubo oo bilaash ah, nalal, dhalooyinka biyaha lagu cabo ee dib loo isticmaali karo iyo waxyaalo kale oo badan!
La xiriir Munira Salad, Public Health Specialist wixii su’aalo ah ee aad qabto:
Taleefanka: 952-563-4960
Iimayl: msalad@bloomingtonmn.gov
Waxaan ku hadlaa Soomaali


Staff from Bloomington Public Health and Sustainability will be sharing resources to help you live a healthier, more sustainable life. Information will be available in Somali with help from Somali-speaking staff and interpreters.

  • Learn about organics and recycling.
  • Learn how to make your home healthier and more comfortable.
  • Learn about free health resources.

Free snacks!
Free compost bins, lightbulbs, reusable water bottles and more!
Contact Munira Salad, Public Health Specialist with questions:
Phone: 952-563-4960
Email: msalad@bloomingtonmn.gov
I speak Somali

Feria de recursos sobre vida saludable y sostenibilidad/Healthy Living & Sustainability Resource Fair (Spanish Language)

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Feria de recursos sobre vida saludable y sostenibilidad/Healthy Living & Sustainability Resource Fair (Spanish Language)

Date(s)
Tuesday, July 15, 2025 - 3–5 p.m.

Contact Information

Contact Information

Claire Pardubsky

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Martes, 15 de julio de 2025,
3-5 p.m.
Biblioteca Oxboro
8801 Portland Ave S,
Bloomington, MN 55420

El personal de la División de Salud Pública y Sostenibilidad de la Ciudad de Bloomington compartirá recursos para ayudarle a vivir una vida más saludable y sostenible. Habrá información disponible en español con el apoyo de personal que habla español e intérpretes profesionales.

  • Infórmese sobre los residuos orgánicos y el reciclaje.
  • Aprenda cómo hacer que su hogar sea más saludable y cómodo.
  • Conozca recursos gratuitos para la salud.

¡Habrá bocadillos gratuitos!
¡Contenedores de composta, bombillas de luz, botellas de agua reutilizables y mucho más, sin costo!

Si tiene preguntas, comuníquese con Claire Pardubsky, especialista en sostenibilidad:
Teléfono: 952-563-4660
Correo electrónico: cpardubsky@bloomingtonmn.gov
Hablo español.


Staff from Bloomington Public Health and Sustainability will be sharing resources to help you live a healthier, more sustainable life. Information will be available in Spanish with help from Spanish-speaking staff and interpreters.

  • Learn about organics and recycling
  • Learn how to make your home healthier and more comfortable
  • Learn about free health resources

Free snacks!
Free compost bins, lightbulbs, reusable water bottles and more!

Contact Claire Pardubsky, Sustainability Specialist with questions:
Phone: 952-563-4660
Email: cpardubsky@bloomingtonmn.gov
I speak Spanish.

Mobile Recreation 2025

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Mobile Recreation 2025

Date(s)
Starts Saturday, June 14, 2025 - 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

Contact Information

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Parks and Recreation Department

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Mobile Recreation provides free recreation activities in various Bloomington park locations. No registration required. Each week will feature a unique activity. 

  • Where: See below
  • Who: Youth ages 18 and under.
  • When: Select Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • Cost: Free!
  • Registration: None required.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Mobile Rec is a drop-in program, not a drop-off program. Parents/guardians must stay in the park for the duration of the time your children are participating in activities with City staff. 


Weather Policy
Mobile Rec may be canceled if the weather is not ideal for programming. If weather becomes severe the weather line (952-563-8878) will be updated with any program changes or cancellations.


Summer 2025 Activity Schedule 

  • June 14 - Smith Park, 8155 Park Ave. S.
    • Ninja Course Time Trials
View of Smith Park Challenge Course including 40-yard-dash station
Kids making birdhouses on a picnic table during Summer Adventure Playgrounds
Man in hat throwing disk towards basket on Disc Golf course
Three young kids kicking soccer balls in a field

Appreciative Inquiry Workshop

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Appreciative Inquiry Workshop

Date(s)
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 - 5–8:30 p.m.

Contact Information

Contact Information

Community Outreach and Engagement Division

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As a Bloomington resident, your insight is essential to help answer this important question:  

Appreciative Inquiry

How can we build stronger, more trusted relationships between the City and the communities we serve—especially those who are often underrepresented or harder to reach? 

Join us for a collaborative, uplifting conversations using Appreciative Inquiry—a method that focuses on strengths, connection, and bold ideas.

To help plan for food and set-up, please register by June 27th. 

Registration for this event is now closed.

Questions:
Amanda Crombie, Community Outreach & Engagement Coordinator
acrombie@bloomingtonmn.gov

Address
Room Name/Location
Civic Plaza Lobby

Bloomington Community Blood Drive

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Bloomington Community Blood Drive

Date(s)
Thursday, October 9, 2025 - 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

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Red Cross

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Give blood. Save lives.

  • 1 donation can potentially save up to 3 lives.
  • Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
  • A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.
  • The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O.

Choose your donation time

Advance registration is required for this event. 

Blood drive
Ways to register
1. Online
  1. Go to the event registration page.
  2. Find the drive you are looking for, organized by date, and click "See Times."
  3. Click "Give Blood" next to your chosen time slot.
  4. Sign-in or create an account to finish scheduling your appointment.

2. Use the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App

3. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS

What to do before, during and after your donation

  • Get a good night's sleep before the day you are donating.
  • Eat a healthy meal before your donation.
  • Drink an extra 16 oz. of water or nonalcoholic fluids before the donation.
  • Remember to bring your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of ID to your donation appointment.

​For more tips, visit the American Red Cross blood donation page.

Safety Precautions

Please DO NOT come to the blood drive if you have symptoms of illness or are not feeling well.

The Red Cross and the City are taking several precautions to help ensure a safe environment for donors, volunteers and Red Cross staff. 

These precautions include:

  • Blood drive will be by appointment only; no walk-ins will be allowed.
  • Blood donors and Red Cross staff and volunteers will be asked to enter and leave from the east entrance of the building, near Rehearsal Hall.
  • All Red Cross staff participate in standard health assessments prior to each blood drive.
  • Masks are welcome, but not required at Bloomington Civic Plaza.
  • All donors will be temperature-screened before entering the blood drive.
  • Blood donors will be asked to use hand sanitizer before and during the donation process.
  • Staff wear gloves throughout the donation process, changing gloves between every donor.
  • Donor beds will be sanitized between every donor.
  • Social distancing practices will be maintained between donors including donor beds, as well as waiting and refreshment areas.

Questions about donating?

Contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Address
Room Name/Location
Rehearsal Hall

On The One Music Festival

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On The One Music Festival

Date(s)
Saturday, August 16, 2025 - 2–9 p.m.

Contact Information

Contact Information

Parks and Recreation Department

Creative Placemaking

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Smiling people enjoying On The One Music Festival

The fourth annual On The One Music Festival is back at Bloomington Central Station Park in 2025! 

On The One Music Festival celebrates the best in Twin Cities urban eclectic music, including R&B, Neo-Soul, Reggae, Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, and spoken word. It features some of the top artists in their craft sharing their passions with the state of Minnesota. 

Produced by The Avant Garde and City Of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, this FREE, ALL AGES event is hosted by Chadwick "Niles" Phillips

Sponsored by:

Watch this interview courtesy of WCCO TV to learn more about On The One Music Festival and its partnership with the City of Bloomington.


PERFORMER LINEUP

On The One Music Festival 2025 horizontal graphic with pink, green, purple and orange logo and performer listing

FOOD AND BEVERAGES


VENDORS


VENUE

  • Location: Central Station Park is located on East 81st Street between 31st and 33rd Avenues South, east of Mall of America and adjacent to Bloomington Central light rail station in the South Loop District.
  • Seating: The park features a large, flat, natural grass open space where the performances will take place. There is no permanent seating. It is recommended that you bring a blanket or lawn chair for your comfort and convenience while enjoying the show.
  • Parking: See below
Central Station Park Open Area

Visit the Arts in the Parks web page to see other fun events in summer 2025!

orange Arts in the Parks logo with green and brown trees that look like musical instruments and a blue swoosh underneath

Visit the Creative Placemaking webpage to learn about projects and citywide planning efforts. 

South Loop
Parking

See the map below for parking information near Central Station Park. The map may be clicked to enlarge it for better viewing.  

Central Station Park parking map On The One Fest 2024
Address
Bloomington Central Station Park

Camp Kota Singalong

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Camp Kota Singalong

Date(s)
Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 6–7 p.m.

Contact Information

Contact Information

Parks and Recreation Department

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Camp Kota singalong graphic with logo and illustration of kids singing and playing instruments around a camp fire

For more than 50 years, participants at Bloomington’s Camp Kota have enjoyed learning outdoor skills, singing interactive songs, playing fun games, singing interactive songs, meeting new friends, singing interactive songs, swimming, singing interactive songs and so much more! 

Did we forget to mention singing interactive songs? 

The first-ever Camp Kota Sing-A-Long puts the songs in the spotlight! 

Led by Camp Kota Counselors who spent the entire summer fine-tuning their song repertoire, this free event is the perfect introduction to Camp Kota for future participants or anyone just wanting a fun night out. Bring a blanket, snacks and an eagerness to dance and sing the night away! 

Where: Bush Lake Beach, 9140 E. Bush Lake Rd.
When: August 7, 2025, 6 - 7 p.m. 
Who: Geared towards pre-K, but all are welcome to attend! 
Registration: None.
Fee: Free.

Veterans memorial to be built at Harrison Park in Bloomington

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Veterans memorial to be built at Harrison Park in Bloomington

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Bloomington, MN—A new memorial to honor and recognize veterans will be built at Harrison Park, 1701 W. 100th Street, as part of a partnership between the City of Bloomington and Bloomington Remembers Veterans, the nonprofit organization leading the memorial’s development.

Designed to provide a place for honor, reflection, education, community gathering and inspiration for the future, the Bloomington Veterans Memorial will be located in a dedicated area within Harrison Park. The site offers a peaceful setting with accessible parking, a connection to the Nine Mile Creek Corridor, and visibility for those passing by.

Construction of the memorial will be part of the broader Harrison Park and Nine Mile Creek Corridor renewal project, which includes improvements such as parking lot reconstruction, stormwater management, and enhanced gathering spaces.

The design of the memorial will include armatures representing military branches, service branch crests and symbolic dog tags honoring veterans. The memorial will feature walking paths, digital storytelling elements, native plantings, and space for community gatherings and quiet remembrance.

“This memorial represents our community’s commitment to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families,” Mayor Tim Busse said.

Funding for the project comes from multiple sources including a $350,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), $275,000 from the City of Bloomington, and $320,000 raised by Bloomington Remembers Veterans. Of those funds, $100,000 is currently available for construction, and fundraising efforts are ongoing.

“This memorial will be a lasting tribute to area veterans and their families. We’re grateful for the support of the City and so many community members for helping to make this Memorial at Harrison Park a reality,” Bloomington Remembers Veterans President Kate Blessing said.

Construction is scheduled to align with the Harrison Park renewal project, with the goal of completing the memorial by Veterans Day 2026.

Donations to the memorial and veteran name submissions are still needed. To learn more, visit BloomingtonVeteransMemorial.org.

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Media Releases

The City of Bloomington publishes media releases from time to time, to share newsworthy information that may be of interest to the community and to the audiences of local media outlets.

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Kate Blessing

President, Bloomington Remembers Veterans
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