Examine the 1856 Pond House as a history detective. 

• What are the mysterious markings on the bricks?
• Why is the window glass wavy?
• Why is there a door on every side of the house? 

Answer these and other curious questions to win a detective gadget!

Free program for all ages. No registration required. Drop in any time during the three-hour event. 

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Taste a variety of 19th century candies that started as medicine and ended up as delicious treats. 

Learn about the evolution of these American confections. Some are so familiar you’ll be surprised they date from long ago. History never tasted so sweet! 

Free program and candy samples. 

No registration required. Drop in any time during the 3-hour event.  
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Ask about Pond House tours.

Create a buffalo bone hairpipe bead lanyard to take home at this free program led by Lakota Bead Artist Carol Charging Thunder. 

Carol has been beading for over 50 years. Her work has been exhibited at the Tweed Museum of Art in Duluth and was featured in an art exhibit developed by All My Relations Arts.  

Free program. All materials provided. No registration required. 

Drop in any time during the 3-hour event.  

blm.mn/pondhouse

While there, ask about Pond House tours.

Follow Bloomington Parks and Recreation on Facebook. 

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.

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 

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.

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.

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!

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED

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.

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