Bloomington Mayor And Parks & Recreation Staff Host Opening Of Switchyard Park Dog Park Today

 (BLOOMINGTON) – The public is invited to join the Parks and Recreation Department, together with Mayor John Hamilton, to celebrate the opening of the Switchyard Park dog park on today at 5:30 p.m.     

Located on the south side of Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St.,the dog park features fenced large and small dog areas  where dogs may exercise and interact off-leash. The dog park will be open daily during Switchyard Park hours, from 5 a.m. through 11 p.m. The dog park will be closed Tuesdays from 5 a.m. until noon for routine maintenance.  There is no fee to use the dog park. Dogs must be leashed, and connected to their owners, while not inside the fenced dog park area.

Parking areas closest to the dog park are located at the park’s Walnut Street entrance, and the Bloomington Rail Trail/B-Line Trail trailhead parking lot south of Country Club Drive. 

Dogs must be spayed or neutered, up to date on all required vaccinations, and at least four months of age to use the dog park.  While dog water bowls will be provided, the drinking fountain for both humans and dogs is not operational, due to COVID-19 safety guidelines. Dog owners are encouraged to bring drinking water and bowls for their dogs. 

In keeping with current public health guidelines, maximum occupancy of no more than 150 people at any one time will be in place at the dog park, along with recommended physical distancing. The use of face masks is required outdoors when adequate physical distancing of at least six feet is not possible. Visitors to the dog park are asked to be mindful that there may be a wait to enter, and that others may be waiting to enjoy the facility. ADA-accessible paths are available in both the large dog and small dog areas.

Substantially completed and unveiled to the community November 16, 2019, Switchyard Park is the City’s most ambitious park project to date, converting a long-unused railway switchyard to a 57-acre park in the heart of the city featuring basketball, bocce, and pickleball courts, a performance stage, pavilion, and numerous other attractions. The park has been open to the public and construction crews have been completing the park’s features since the ribbon cutting. The playground at Switchyard Park reopened on June 12—along with other City park playgrounds—when Monroe County entered Stage 4 of the state’s plan for resuming activities in the wake of COVID-19. The Spray Pad at the Community Foundation Switchyard Plaza in Switchyard Park opened June 30.  The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra inaugurated the performance stage at the heart of the park with a concert on Sunday, August 23.  

For more information about the dog park at Switchyard Park, contact Hsiung Marler, Switchyard Park General Manager, at marlerh@bloomington.in.gov.