Parks and Recreation Department

Arts in the Parks includes not only musical performances from classical to 80s, but also offers everything from moonlight movies to exploding fireworks. There's dancing, food trucks, farmers markets, kids entertainment, live theatre performances and so much more! All programs are completely free of charge and open to the public. 

For details on everything that is happening throughout the summer at a variety of locations around Bloomington, visit the Arts in the Parks web page at blm.mn/artsparks. 

Join us Sunday, July 3, 5 - 10:30 p.m. for what has become the true "ringing in" of Independence Day in the Twin Cities. Summer Fete, which culminates in one of the State of Minnesota's largest fireworks displays, takes place annually on July 3 at Normandale Lake Park, W. 84th Street and Normandale Blvd.

The entertainment lineup, food vendors and other details are still coming together.

Visit blm.mn/summer-fete for more details.  

The City of Bloomington initiated the process of developing a new Park System Master Plan in November 2019. With extensive and invaluable assistance from consultants, City staff and most importantly the community, the plan was developed over the next two years and ultimately adopted by the Bloomington City Council in August 2021.  

The Next Steps

Adoption of the master plan was just the first step. Now the work of developing service area and individual park plans begins. The Park System Master Plan provides a clear action plan and guidance for improvements to Bloomington's parks, trails, facilities, recreational programs and green spaces.

Nine parks have been identified for the first phase of planning and development:  Brookside, Bryant, Gene Kelly, Poplar Bridge Running, Smith, Southwood, Sunrise. Tretbaugh. 

To learn more about the park planning process and opportunities to provide input both in person and online, visit blm.mn/park-planning. 

Bloomington Parks and Recreation is dedicated to making our parks ethnically and culturally diverse as well as equitable, inclusive, and relevant. It is our priority to build relationships with our community and break down barriers that are inhibiting residents from visiting the parks. We are committed to continually seek ways to better deliver park and recreation services, programming, and community events that connect people across cultures to the parks and one another.

If you would like to share input, feedback, or seek more information about outreach, please contact Jean Sanon, Recreation Coordinator, at parksrec@bloomingtonmn.gov or by calling Parks and Recreation at 952-563-8877.

Work and fun can go hand-in-hand!

Bloomington Parks and Recreation is a great place to work and have fun at the same time! We offer a wide vareity of permanent full-time, permanent part-time and temporary seasonal positions. 

To learn more about all of the great opportunities available, visit blm.mn/prjobs. 

Are you looking for recreation opportunities at home and on the go? The Recreation Experience Center (REC Online) is your online resource for fun, engaging, inclusive, and accessible activities.

With options in the creative and performing arts, fitness, history, nature and more, whether you're looking for a purely Bloomington experience or just general ideas on what to do, you're sure to find something that interests you at REC Online. 

Summer 2022 will be an experience to remember in Bloomington! 

The 2022 Summer Experience! catalog feaures all that Bloomington Parks and Recreation and several of our community partners have to offer for a summer (and spring and fall) full of fun, inclusive, engaging activities, events, camps and programs.  

Registration opens for many summer youth programs and camps on April 18 at 12 p.m. (noon).  Other activities have varying registration deadlines. Review the entire catalog and you're sure to find something that's just right for you. There's something for everyone this summer in Bloomington!